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HISTORY 

OF 

GARLAND 

MAINE 


BY LYNDON OAK 


DOVER, MAINE 

THE OBSERVER PUBLISHING CO. 

1912 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 





Page 


Beginnings in the Valley of the Kenduskeag, 


5 


Grant of the Township, now Garland, to Wil- 




liams College, 


5 


Original Proprietors, 


9 


The Waldo Patent, 


13 


Original Designation, 


15 


Boundaries and Natural Features, 


15 


A Notable Natural Feature, 


17 


Water Courses, 


18 


Main Stream, 


19 


Sources of Information Relating to the Local 




History of Garland, 


19 


Stories of the Pioneers, 


21 


Disappearing, 


23 


Beginnings, 


24 


The First Opening, 


M 


Conflicting Claims, 


26 


Events of 1802 in the Township, 


27 


The First Family, 


30 


The First Fruit Nursery, 


33 


Early Buildings, 


35 


The First Saw-mill, 


36 


Story of the Crank, 


37 


Raising of the First Saw-mill, 


46 


The First Winter in the Township, 


49 


Township No. 3 in 1803, 


52 



IV TABLE OF CONTENTS 





Page 


An Early Name, 


53 


Old Names, 


53 


In Quest of Food, 


54 


Lincolntovvn in ISO't, 


57 


In Peril of Shipwreck, 


59 


From Frankfort to the Township, 


59 


Early Births in the Township, 


62 


Lincoln town in 1805, 


63 


A Striking Contrast, 


63 


Burned Out, 


66 


A Spacious Sleeping Apartment, 


68 


The Surprise, 


69 


A Discovery, 


71 


Another Fire in 1805, 


72 


First Beginning in the Southwest Part of the 




Township, 


74 


Coming of Mechanics, 


75 


A Large Crop of Corn, 


77 


The First Strawberry Festival, 


78 


The First School, 


79 


A Disappointment, 


80 


The Township in 1806, 


82 


The First Tanner, 


83 


The First Physician, 


85 


The First Visit of a Minister, 


86 


First Winter School, 


87 


Early Marriages, 


96 


The Township in 1807, 


96 


The First Blacksmith, 


97 


The Township in 1808, 


99 


The Township in 1809, 


100 


A Notable Barn, 


102 


A More Notable Barn, 


103 


A Remarkable Journey in 1809, 


104 



TABLE OF CONTENTS V 

Page 

The First Death in the Township, 105 
The Township in 1810, 105 
A Sorrowful Event, 107 
The First Grist Mill, 108 
Death of the First Physician, 109 
Questionings, 110 
Was it a Misfortune? 112 
Petition for an Act of Incorporation, 114 
What's in a Name? ' 115 
A Copy of the Petition for Incorporation, 118 
Act of Incorporation, 121 
Garland in 1811, 123 
The First Town Meeting, 126 
The Second Town Meeting, 129 
The Third Town Meeting of 1811, 133 
The Fourth Town Meeting of 1811, 134 
Garland in 1812, 135 
The First Vote for Governor, 136 
The First Voting List on Record, 137 
First Vote for Member of Congress for the Ken- 
nebec District, 139 
The First Vote for a Presidential Elector, 139 
Construction of Early Houses, 140 
How Houses Were Warmed, 141 
An All-Day Fire, 142 
How the Houses Were Lighted, 143 
Furniture of the Times, 143 
The Clothing of the Inhabitants, 144 
Their Food, 145 
A Luxury, 146 
Social Life, 147 
The Conquest of the Forest, 148 
Planting Corn, 149 
Garland in 1813, 151 



VI TABLE OF CONTENTS 





Page 


West Garland, 


152 


Garland in 1814, 


153 


The War of 1812, 


154 


Garland's First Military Company, 


156 


A Midnight Summons, 


157 


Enlistments, 


161 


Garland in 1815, 


162 


Garland in 1816 (Petition for a New State), 


163 


Change of Place, 


165 


Annual Town Meeting of 1816, 


166 


A New County, 


167 


The Year Without a Summer, 


168 


Garland in the Cold Year, 


171 


Incidents From the Diary of Stephen A. Berry, 


173 


Garland in 1817, 


175 


A Cheering Change, 


176 


Friends in Need, 


176 


The Annual Meeting of 1817, 


177 


The First County Road, 


178 


Ballot for Governor in 1817, 


179 


Garland in 1818, 


180 


The Town's Treasury Boxes, 


181 


Vote for Governor in 1818, 


181 


The Ohio Fever, 


182 


A Favorable Season, 


182 


A Revival of the Military Spirit, 


182 


The First Post-office, 


184 


Garland in 1819, 


186 


Garland From 1810 to 1820, 


189 


Families Who Moved Away During the Second 




Decade, 


190 


Garland in 1820, 


193 


A New Epoch, 


195 


Garland in 1821, 


197 



TABLE OF CONTENTS vil 

Page 

Action of the Town Relating to Lots of Land 

Reserved for Public Purposes, 198 
Number of Families in What is Now Garland 

Village in 1821, 199 
Garland in 1822, 201 
Newcomers in 1822, 202 
Search for a Missing Child in a Neighboring 
Town in Which Citizens of Garland Partici- 
pated, 204 
Masonic Lodge, 205 
Garland in 1823, 205 
First Store in Garland Village, 207 
Garland in 1824, 209 
A Mustering of the Militia, 210 
A Political Campaign Projected, 211 
Garland in 1825, 211 
Fall Elections, 212 
Destructive Fires in 1825, 212 
Garland in 1826, 215 
Garland in 1827, 218 
Congressional Convention, 219 
Fall Election, 219 
An Early Spring, 220 
Garland in 1828, 221 
The First Cemetery, 223 
Garland in 1 829, 223 
The Genesis of the Temperance Reform, 224 
Review of Town's Growth From 1820 to 1830, 225 
Garland in 1830, 226 
Increasing Prosperity, 228 
Garland in 1831, 229 
An Abundant Crop of Corn, 229 
Garland in 1832, 230 
Garland in 1833, 232 



VI 11 TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Page 



Garland in 1834, 

A Business Center, 284 

The Hop Industry, 235 

Garland in 1835, 236 

An Irate Citizen, 237 

Division of the Ministerial Fund, 238 
The Aid of the Town to Some of Its Poorer 

Citizens, 240 

Tragic Death of a Prominent Citizen, 241 

An Important Road Contemplated, 242 

The First Meeting House in Garland, 243 

Garland in 1836, 246 

Bears, 247 

Fall Elections of 1836, 247 

Garland in 1837, 248 

Fall Elections, 248 

Hard Times, 250 

Surplus Revenue, 251 

An Elephant, 251 

Garland in 1838, 254 

Garland's Artillery Company, 255 

A Foreign Venture, 256 

The Advent of the Martin Family, 257 

"All is Well That Ends Well," 259 

Garland in 1839, 260 

Garland in the Aroostook War, 261 

Growth From 1830 to 1840, 270 

Garland in 1840, 271 

Appropriations in 1840, 272 

Fall Elections, 1840, 272 

Garland in 1841, 273 

The Fall Election of 1841, 274 

The Avenue Road, 275 

Garland in 1842, 275 



TABLE OF CONTENTS IX 





Page 


Fall Elections in 1842, 


276 


A Notable Anti-Slavery Meeting, 


277 


Garland in 1843, 


277 


The Rebuilding of the Long Bridge, 


280 


A Remarkable Religious Fanaticism, 


281 


Garland in 1844, 


283 


Autumnal Election, 


284 


Garland in 1845, 


285 


Annual State Election, 


285 


Garland in 1846, 


287 


State Election of 1846, 


287 


Garland in 1847, 


288 


Town House, 


289 


State Election of 1847, 


290 


Action of the Town on Proposed Amendments 




of the State Constitution, 


291 


Garland in 1848, 


291 


State Election in 1848, 


292 


The First High School in Garland, 


293 


A Tornado, 


294 


Garland in 1849, 


295 


Garland in 1850, 


297 


Autumnal Elections of 1850, 


297 


Garland in the Contest for United States Sena- 




tor, 


298 


Garland in 1851, 


299 


Garland in 1852, 


300 


Autumnal Elections of 1852, 


301 


Garland in 1853, 


301 


Autumnal Elections in 1853, 


302 


Garland in 1854, 


302 


The Autumnal Elections, 


303 


Garland in 1855, 


304 


Autumnal Elections, 


305 



X TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Page 

Garland in 1856, 305 

Clouds in the Political Horizon, 306 

Autumnal Elections of 1856, 306 

Presidential Electors, 307 

Garland in 1857, 308 

Appropriations of 1857, 308 

Autumnal Elections of 1857, 308 

Garland in 1858, 309 

Appropriations of 1858, 309 

Autumnal Elections of 1858, 310 

Garland in 1859, 310 

Autumnal Elections of 1859, 311 

Garland in 1860, 311 

Autumnal Election, 312 

Ballot for Presidential Electors in 1860, 312 

Garland in 1861, 313 

Autumnal Election of 1861, 314 

Garland in 1862, 314 

Autumnal Election of 1862, 315 

Garland in 1863, 315 

Autumnal Elections in 1863, 316 

Garland in 1864, 316 

Autumnal Election of 1864, 317 

Garland in 1865, 317 

Autumnal Election of 1865, 318 

Garland in 1866, 318 

Autumnal Election of 1866, 319 

Garland in 1867, 319 

Autumnal Election of 1867, 320 

Garland in 1868, 320 

Autumnal Election of 1868, 321 

Garland in 1869, 322 

Autumnal Election, 322 

Special Meeting, 323 



TABLE OF CONTENTS XI 

Page 

Garland in the Temperance Reform, 323 

The Washingtonian Movement, 328 

An Event Worthy of Record, 329 
Garland's Action on a Proposed Amendment of 

the State Constitution, 329 

Before Roads Were Made in the Township, 330 

Early Lines of Approach to the Township, 330 

Early Roads, 331 

History of the Principal Existing Roads, 332 

Second Road, 332 

Road to Dexter, 333 

The Present Trend of Merchandise, 337 
A Sketch of the History of the Congregational 

Church of Garland, 338 

Pastorate of the Rev. S. S. Drake, 349 

Historical Sketch of the Free Baptist Church, 350 

Garland in the War of the Rebellion, 359 

Early Demonstrations, 359 

Calls for Men in 1861, 360 
Action of the Town Relating to Families of the 
Men Who Had Enhsted in the Ranks of the 

Army in 1861, 360 
Names of Residents of Garland Who Volunteered 

to Fight Under the Old Flag, 363 
A List of Drafted Men Who Furnished Substi- 
tutes, 365 
A List of Non-resident Volunteers Assigned to 

Garland, 365 

Reenlistments, 366 



Xll TABLE OF CONTENTS 



Page 



Names and Brief History of the Men Who 

Enlisted in 1861, 
Names and Brief History of the Men Who ^ 

Enhsted in 1862, ^ 

Names and Brief History of the Men Who oo 

Enlisted in 1863, ^ c^ 

Names and Brief History of the Men Who 

Enlisted in 1864, 
Names and Brief History of the Men Who 

Enlisted in 1865, 
A Brief Statement of Particulars of the Deaths 

of the Men Who Were Killed or Died in 

the Service of Their Country, 375 

Cost of the War to the Town of Garland, 381 

Bounties, 381 

Woman in the War of the Rebellion, 382 

An Incident Connected With Filling One of the 

Quotas Assigned to the Town of Garland, 384 

A Tribute, 385 



PREFACE 

It is hardly possible for a man to leave a better legacy to his 
town than a good history of it. This is a matter that has been too 
often neglected, especially in many Maine towns which could have 
furnished ample material, but Garland has been fortunate in 
this respect, fortunate in having the material and doubly fortu- 
nate in having a citizen who was both able and willing to make 
good use of it. 

It was my privilege to live in Garland and to call the Hon. 
Lyndon Oak my friend. When I visited him during the latter 
years of his life, I found him devoting his spare time to writing a 
history of his town and was greatly interested in the extracts which 
it gave him pleasure to read to me. 

The manuscript came into the hands of John M. Oak of 
Bangor after the death of his father and when he decided to have 
the history published, it seemed very fitting that the introduction 
should be written, and the work done in the office of a Garland boy 
in whom his father had been interested, and so it came about that 
the book was printed in my office and I have written the introduc- 
tion. 

In going through the manuscript, a great deal of matter relat- 
ing to families and individuals was found to be incomplete, evidently 
being notes the author had collected but did not live to extend. 
For this reason it has not been possible to give this matter a place 
in the history, although it would have added much to its interest 
had it been completed. 

Much credit is due Miss Ellen M. Haskell of Garland for her 
efficient work in editing and preparing the manuscript for the 
printer, a work for which she was qualified by her familiarity with 
the history of the town. 

In this connection it seems appropriate to give a brief sketch of 
the author of this history and the following was taken from an 
article written by Henry L. Oak for the American Series of 
Popular Biographies. At the end of the volume will also be found 
an article written by Dr. M. C. Fernald of Orono. 

LISTON P. EVANS. 



Brief Sketch of Author 
By Henry L. Oak 

Hon. Lyndon Oak, teacher and merchant, was born in Bos- 
cawen, N. H., Sept. 22d, 1816, died in Garland Feb. 17th, 1902. 
He was educated in the common schools and at Gorham Seminary, 
where he was subsequently a teacher for twelve years. He con- 
tinued his professional career for many years, and as an educator 
met with praiseworthy success. 

In 1848, he founded the Garland High School, in which he 
taught the first term, and was so interested in its continuance that 
he personally guaranteed the salaries of the teachers for the next 
thirteen years. For a long time he served most efficiently as super- 
intendent of schools in Garland, doing much toward advancing the 
educational status of the town. 

He was very prominent in the establishment and early manage- 
ment of the Maine State College, now the University of Maine, at 
Orono, and served for twenty-two years as one of its board of 
trustees, six years being president of the board. On reaching the 
legal limitation of age, he retired. 

He was a member of the State Legislature at different times 
from 1843 until 1867, serving in both branches of that body, and 
had the distinction of being the first member ever elected to the 
House on a straight anti-slavery, or Liberty party ticket. When 
the Liberty party was merged in the Free Soil party he became one 
of its staunchest supporters, continuing to adhere to its principles 
until the formation of the Republican party, with which he was 
afterwards actively identified. In 1876, as a protest against a nomi- 
nation he had opposed in the convention, and with no thought of 
election Mr. Oak, at the very urgent importunities of friends and 
men of influence and standing in the party, allowed his name to be 
used as an independent candidate for Congress. This he regarded, 
as did his friends, as political suicide; yet in 1880, at a convention 
held under the leadership of such men as Blaine, Boutelle, Hale, 
Hamlin and Dingley, he was urged to accept the regular nomination 
of his party for Governor, but felt obliged to decline, owing to 



4 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

personal and business interests. Mr. Blaine insisted that "there 
would be magic in the historic name of Lyndon Oak of Garland." 

Mr. Oak subsequently published a biographical sketch of Gen. 
James Irish of Gorham, and at the time of his death was at work 
on a history of the town of Garland. 

As the most prominent man of the town of Garland for more 
than half a century; as representing the best and a fast disappear- 
ing type of local politicians, and by reason of his marked ability 
and many admirable traits of personal character, the Hon. Lyndon 
Oak, more than any other of his branch or tribe, is one who 
deserves an extended biographical sketch, such as cannot be given 
here. 

The Hon. Lyndon Oak married (Sept. 1st, 1846,) Rebecca 
Chadbourne Irish, who was born in Gorham, Maine, Sept. 21st, 
1817, and died in Garland, Feb. 24th, 1902. She was the daughter 
of General James Irish of Gorham, and was a descendant in the 
eighth generation from Thomas Rogers who came over in the May- 
flower in 1620. Hon. and Mrs. Lyndon Oak were the parents of 
three children, James H., born in Garland Oct. 4, 1849, John M., 
born in Garland June 16, 1851, and Grace Elizabeth, (now Mrs. J. 
N. Parker,) born in Garland June 1st, 1858. 



History of Garland, Maine 



Beginnings in the Valley of the Kenduskeag 

SOON after the close of the Revolutionary War the 
fine agricultural region embracing the present 
towns of Levant, Kenduskeag, Corinth, Exeter, 
Dexter, Garland and Charleston, Maine, began to 
attract attention. 

Settlements were begun at Levant, then embracing 
the present town of Kenduskeag, in 1789 — at Corinth 
in 1792 — at Charleston in 1795 — at Dexter and Exeter 
in 1801 and at Garland in 1802. 



Grant of the Township, Now Garland, to 
A¥illiams College 

In 1798, the Legislature of Massachusetts granted 
two townships of land to Williams College, located at 
Williams town, Mass. 

The present towns of Garland and Lee, both situated 
in the present county of Penobscot, were the townships 
granted. 

The terms and conditions upon which the grants 
were made, are contained in the following resolve (deed) : 



6 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

"To all persons to whom these presents shall come, 
Greeting : 

"Whereas the Legislature of the Commonwealth of 
Massachusetts on the fourth day of February, 1796, 
granted a township of land lo the Trustees of Williams 
College by a resolve in the following words viz: 'Re- 
solved that there be and hereby is granted two townships 
of land of the contents of six miles square, each to be 
laid out and assigned from any of the unappropriated 
lands belonging to this Commonwealth in the District of 
Maine, the same to be vested in the Trustees of Williams 
College and their successors forever for the use, benefit 
and purpose of supporting the said College, to be by 
them holden in their corporate capacity with full power 
and authority to settle, divide and manage the same 
townships or any part thereof, or to sell, convey and 
dispose of the same in such way and manner as shall best 
promote the welfare of said College, the same to be laid 
out under the direction of the Committee for the sale of 
Eastern Lands and a plan or plans thereof lodged in the 
Secretary's Office. Provided the Trustees aforesaid or 
their assigns shall cause to be settled fifteen families in 
each of said townships within twelve years from the pass- 
ing this resolve, and also that there be reserved in each 
township three lots of three hundred and twenty acres 
each for the following uses viz: one lot for the first set- 
tled Minister, one lot for the use of the Ministry and one 
lot for the use of schools in each of said townships. ' 

"And whereas the Legislature aforesaid did on the 
twenty-eighth day of February, 1793, by their resolve 
of that date, authorize and empower the Committee for 
the sale of Eastern Lands to execute deeds of certain 
grants of land in the words following, viz: Whereas 
several grants of townships and tracts of land have been 
and may be made by this Court for the encouragement 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 7 

of literature in the various parts of the Commonwealth, 
Resolved, That all the lands which have been or may be 
granted for the purposes aforesaid be located under the 
direction of the Committee for the sale of Eastern lands 
and that said Committee be and hereby are authorized 
and empowered to execute deeds of conveyance and con- 
firmation of the same conformably to the conditions of 
such grants. 

"Now therefore know ye. That we the undersigned 
whose seals are hereunto affixed, having been appointed 
the Committee for the sale of Eastern Lands in con- 
formity to the foregoing resolve, do by these presents 
convey and confirm unto the Trustees of Williams Col- 
lege and their successors to be by them holden in their 
corporate capacity for the use of said College, a town- 
ship of land Ij'ing in the County of Hancock & con- 
taining twent3'-three thousand and forty acres, equal to 
a township of the contents of six miles square, the said 
township being number three in the fifth range of town- 
ships north of the Waldo Patent, as the same was sur- 
veyed by Ephraim Ballard and Samuel Weston in the 
year 1792, Bounded easterl}- by number two in the same 
range, southerly by number three in the fourth range, 
westerly by number four in the fifth range and northerly 
by number three in the sixth range, excepting and 
reserving however three lots of three hundred and twenty 
acres each for the following uses, viz : one lot for the first 
settled Minister his heirs or assigns, one lot for the use 
of the Ministry and one lot for the use of schools in said 
township. 

' 'To have and to hold the above granted premises with 
the appurtenances thereof to the said Trustees and their 
successors for the use of said College and their assigns 
forever, on condition that the said Trustees, their suc- 
cessors or assigns shall grant and convey to each set- 



8 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

tier in said township who settled therein before the first 
day of January, seventeen hundred and eighty-four, or in 
case of his decease without assignment, then to his heirs, 
and in case of assignment then to his assigns, one hundred 
acres of land, to be so laid out as will best include the 
improvements of the settler and be least injurious to the 
adjoining lands, so as that the settler his heirs or assigns 
may hold the same in fee simple, provided that the set- 
tler, his heirs or assigns shall within one year after notice 
and request pay to the Grantees named in this deed their 
heirs or assigns five dollars and also provided that the 
said Trustees, their successors or assigns shall comply with 
and perform the several conditions mentioned in said 
resolve according to the true intent and meaning thereof. 
And the said Committee covenant with the said Trustees 
that the said Commonwealth shall warrant and defend 
the above granted premises to them the said Trustees on 
the said conditions and saving the reservations aforesaid, 
bo them, their successors and assigns forever against the 
lawful claims and demands of all persons. 

"In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands 
and seals this second day of June in the year of our Lord 
seventeen hundred and ninety-eight. 
"Signed, sealed and Samuel Phillips (L S) 

delivered in presence of us. Nath'l Wells (L S) 

Edw. Hayman John Read (L S)" 

Edw* McLane. 

"Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 
"Suffolk, ss. June 4th. 1798. Then personally appeared 
the above named Samuel Phillips, Nath'l Wells and John 
Read and acknowledged the foregoing instrument to be 
their free act and deed. 
Before me, 

Simon Frye, Justice of the Peace 
throughout the Commonwealth." 



HISTORY OF GARI-AND, MAIXK 9 

The present town of Garland was one of the town- 
ships selected under the provisions of this resolve. The 
exterior lines of the township had been run in 1792 by 
Ephraim Ballard and Samuel Weston, names familiar to 
those who have had occasion to examine the records of 
early surveys in this section of Maine. The township 
was in the then existing county of Hancock, a large 
region extending northerly to limits undefined and 
embracing the territory of future counties, among which 
are the present counties of Penobscot, Piscataquis and a 
part of Aroostook. It was designated in Ballard and 
Weston's survey as township number three in the fifth 
range of townships north of the Waldo Patent. 



Original Proprietors 

Investments in lands in the Province of Maine at 
the opening of the present century seem to have been 
regarded with considerable favor by moneyed men of 
Massachusetts. Scarcely had the ink become dry which 
was used to give effect to the resolve granting to 
Williams College the township now known as Garland, 
when its treasurer conveyed it to citizens of Massachu- 
setts, who were always afterwards known as the original 
proprietors. The date of said resolve was June 2d, 
1798. The township was conveyed to the original 
proprietors two days after. The conveyance to Levi 
Lincoln, one of the proprietors, runs as follows: "Know 
all men by these presents, that I, Thompson Joseph 
Skinner of Williamstown, in the County of Berkshire in 
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Esq., in my 
capacity of treasurer of the corporation of Williams 



10 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

College in said Williamstown and in behalf of the presi- 
dent and trustees of said College, in consideration of 
twenty-five hundred dollars paid me in my capacity 
as aforesaid by Levi Lincoln of Worcester in the County 
of Worcester and Commonwealth aforesaid, Esq., the 
receipt whereof I as treasurer, as aforesaid, do hereby 
acknowledge, I do hereby in my office and capacity as 
aforesaid of treasurer, and pursuant to the vote and order 
of aforesaid president and trustees of Williams College 
aforesaid, give, grant, sell and convey unto the said Levi 
Lincoln his heirs and assigns forever, one fourth part of 
a township of land situate, lying and being in the County 
of Hancock in the district of Maine, containing in the 
whole twenty-three thousand and forty acres, equal to a 
township of the contents of six miles square, said town- 
ship being number three in the fifth range of townships 
North of the Waldo Patent, as the same was surveyed by 
Ephraim Ballard and Samuel Weston in the year of our 
Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-two, said 
township bounded easterly by number two in the same 
range, southerh^ by number three in the fourth 
range, westerly by number four in the fifth or 
same range and northerly by number three in the sixth 
range, excepting and reserving however, from said town- 
ship three lots of three hundred and twenty acres each 
for the following uses, viz : one lot for the first settled 
minister, his heirs and assigns, one lot for the use of the 
ministry and one lot for the use of schools in said town- 
ship. To have and to hold the above granted premises 
with the appurtenances thereof to the said Levi Lincoln, 
his heirs and assigns forever to his and their use and 
behoof forever, the said land so granted to the said Levi 
Lincoln, his heirs and assigns as aforesaid now lying in 
common with undivided lands of Seth Hastings of 
Mendon in the County of Worcester aforesaid. Gentle- 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 11 

man, Samuel Sanger of Sherburne in the County of 
Middlesex and Commonwealth aforesaid, Gentleman, 
Calvin Sanger of said Sherburne, Yeoman, Elias Grout 
of same Sherburne, Blacksmith, and Samuel Sanger, Jr., 
of Boston, in the County of Suffoli< and Commonwealth 
aforesaid. Merchant, who are the owners and proprietors 
of the remaining part of the before described township 
of land, being now tenants in common with the said 
Levi Lincoln, and with each other according to their 
respective shares and rights as specified by their respective 
deeds made by me to each of them in my capacity of 
treasurer aforesaid: Provided the said Levi Lincoln, 
Seth Hastings, Samuel Sanger, Calvin Sanger, Elias 
Grout and Samuel Sawj-er, Jr., their heirs or assigns or 
any of them shall, and do comply with and perform 
according to their true intent and meaning, the several 
conditions mentioned in a resolve of the Legislature of 
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, made and passed 
on the 4th day of February in the year of our Lord one 
thousand seven hundred and ninety-six, granting two 
townships of land to the trustees of Williams College 
aforesaid so far as relates to one of said townships which 
resolve is in the following words, viz: (The resolve 
referred to will be found on a preceding page. ) 

"And I, the said Thompson Joseph Skinner do in my 
capacity of treasurer as aforesaid and by authority and 
direction from and for, and in behalf of the president 
and trustees of Williams College aforesaid, and pursuant 
to the vote and order of the corporation of said College, 
covenant to and with the said Levi Lincoln his heirs 
and assigns that the said president and trustees of said 
Williams College are lawfully seized in fee in their 
corporate capacity as aforesaid of the afore granted 
premises, that they are free of all incumbrances, (except- 
ing the conditions to be performed and the reservations 



12 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINK 

to be made as afoi-esaid) that the trustees of Williams 
College aforesaid in the capacity aforesaid have good 
right to sell and by me the said Thompson Joseph 
Skinner in my capacity of treasurer, to the said corpora- 
tion as aforesaid to convey the same to the said Levi 
Lincoln, his heirs and assigns forever in manner as 
aforesaid, and that the said president and trustees and 
their successors in said office will forever, hereafter, war- 
rant, secure and defend the same premises to the said 
Levi Lincoln and his heirs and assigns forever against the 
lawful claims of all persons whatsoever. 

"In witness whereof, I, the said Thompson Joseph 
Skinner, in m}' official capacity of treasurer of the cor- 
poration of Williams College aforesaid, and for, and in 
behalf of the president and trustees of said college, pur- 
suant to their vote and order in their corporate capacity, 
have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said 
corporation this fourth da}^ of June, in the yea.r of our 
Lord one thousand, seven hundred and ninety-eight. 

"Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of us 
whose names are hereunto written. 

"Thompson Joskph Skinner (L S. )'* 

' ' — Addenda — 
"N. B. The word Mendon and the word Gentleman 
on the first page, erased and the word Escj. inserted. 

"Also the words Seth Hastings in the second page 
erased. 

"Also the words Seth Hastings in the third page 
erased and Levi Lincoln interlined before the execution 
of this deed. 

"And also the words-- and Northerly by number three 
in the sixth range in the first page interlined before exe- 
cuting this deed. 

o- 1 Park Holland. 
^ Thomas Wolcott. " 



HISTORY OF OAKLAND, MAINK 13 

It will be seen by the above addenda that Seth Hastings 
dropped out as one of the proprietors and that his inter- 
est was transferred to Levi Lincoln. 

"COMMOXWKALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. 

"Suffolk ss. Boston, 5th of June, 1798, Personally 
appeared the above named Thompson Joseph Skinner, 
Escj. , and acknowledged the foregoing deed to be his free 
act and deed before me, Elisha May, Justice of the 
Peace throughout the Commonwealth." 

"Hancock ss. North District. 

"Received July 14th, 1814, and recorded in Book 
number one, page 121, and examined by John Wilkins 
Register. 

' 'A true copy as of record : 
Attest Isaac Hodsdon 

Clerk of the Judicial Courts 
and actine: Register of deeds." 



The Waldo Patent 

The geographic situation of the township, now 
Garland, having been originally described as township 
number three in the fifth range of townships north 
of the Waldo Patent, the inquisitive reader will desire 
to know something of the history of that patent. 

In March, 1630, John Beauchamp of London, Eng- 
land, and Thomas Leverett of Boston, England, obtained 
a grant of land from a company acting under the 
authority of the government of England. This grant 
was first known as the Muscongus Patent from the river 
that formed a part of its western boundary. From the 



14 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

seacoast, it extended northerl\' between Penobscot Bay 
and River on the east, and the Muscongus River on the 
west, to the line that constitutes the southern boundary 
of the present towns of Hampden, Newburg and 
Dixmont. 

This grant or patent embraced a territory of thirty- 
six miles square. It conveyed nothing but the right of 
exclusive trade with the Indians, to promote which a 
trading house was built and supplied with such articles 
of exchange as were necessary to a successful traffic. 
This traffic was carried on without interruption to the 
mutual advantage of the whites and natives until the 
opening of the first Indian War in 1675, a period of 
forty-five years. 

About the year 1 720 this patent passed into the hands 
of a wealthy family of Boston of the name of Waldo 
and from that time it was known as the Waldo Patent. 

In the year 1759, a very sad event occurred in an 
attempt to find the northern limit of this patent. 

When the work of building Fort Pownal had been 
fairly inaugurated Governor Pownal ascended the river 
with a large escort. The object of this expedition seems 
to have been for the purpose of a conference with the 
Indians. He was accompanied by General Samuel 
Waldo, a representative of the interests of the Waldo 
family, who had taken great interest in the construction 
of the fort, believing that its presence on the river would 
be of great advantage to the proprietors of the patent. 
Arriving at the southern limit of the present town of 
Hampden, the expedition landed. General Waldo hav- 
ing withdrawn a short distance from his companions, sud- 
denly turned and exclaimed, "Here is my bound !" The 
exclamation was followed by an event intensely tragical. 
Scarcely had it escaped his lips when he fell and expired 
instantly. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 15 

Gen. Waldo was held in high esteem for his sterling 
qualities of mind and heart. His sudden death produced 
a profound impression upon his companions. He was 
buried near the fort where his body remained for some 
years, but was ultimately removed to Boston. 

It has been noted that the exterior lines of the present 
town of Garland were run by Ephraim Ballard and 
Samuel Weston in 1792. In the year 1800, Moses 
Hodsdon, a resident of the present town of Kenduskeag, 
assisted by David A. Gove, Daniel Wilkins and a Mr. 
Shores, surveyed the townships into lots. Isaac Wheeler, 
Esq., who was afterwards a prominent citizen of the 
town, accompanied the surveying party. 



Original Designation 

The town of Garland was originally described as 
number three in the fifth range of townships north of 
the Waldo Patent. As has been noted, the present 
towns of Hampden, Newburg and Dixmont constituted 
the first range north of this patent. Bradford was num- 
ber one, Charleston number two. Garland number three 
and Dexter number four in the fifth range of townships 
north of the Waldo Patent. 



Boundaries and Natural Features 

Garland is bounded north by Dover, east by Charles- 
ton, south by Exeter and west by Dexter. It is in touch 
with SangerviUe on the northwest, with Atkinson on the 



16 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

northeast, with Corinth on the southeast and Corinna 
on the southwest. 

Measuring from east to west it is very near the center 
of the State. 

It occupies a central site between the northern and 
southern limits of the inhabited sections of the State. 

It covers an area of thirty-six square miles. The 
southerly half of the town is moderately level. Its soil 
is well adapted to the production of crops common to 
central Maine. Its northerly section is traversed from 
east to west by an elevated range of land about three 
hundred feet above the level of the southern section and 
it was originally covered by a remarkably heavy forest 
growth of bass, beech, birch, maple, hemlock and 
spruce. In the wheat-growing period it was noted for 
its excellent crops of wheat. At the present time, while 
crops common to this section of the State are success- 
fully cultivated, it exceeds in its hay-producing and gra- 
zing adaptation. It is an excellent dairy section of the 
State. 

Some of the higher points of the range of land 
traversing the northerly section of the town, are about 
eight hundred feet above the level of the sea, command- 
ing a great variety of views, from the wildly picturesque 
to those of surpassing beauty. At the north the tower- 
ing forms of Katahdin, Boarstone and Russell Mountains 
arrest attention, while, in restful contrast, the productive 
farms of the Piscataquis Valley, covered in summer with 
growing crops and grazing herds, present a scene of 
rural beauty which is seldom surpassed in central Maine. 

At the south the view extends to the range of hills 
thirty miles away, of which the Dixmont Hills are a 
section, and embraces the area of a dozen towns in one 
of the finest agricultural regions in central Maine. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MA INK 17 

A Notable Natural Feature 

Near the eastern boundary of the town a remarkable 
ravine or pass, locally known as the "notch," bisects 
the elevated range of land which has been described. 
This ravine is about two miles in length, three hundred 
feet in depth at the deepest point and just wide enough 
at the bottom for the county road which passes through 
it. Before the advent of the railroad to this part of 
Maine, it was regarded as the natural outlet to the out- 
side markets for the inhabitants of Piscataquis County. 
In harmony with this view, a road was established 
through the ravine in 1846 by the joint action of the 
commissioners of Penobscot and Piscataquis Counties. 

It was not built and open for travel until 1860. The 
course of the ravine through the hilly range is south, 
bearing a little to the east. 

A moraine, locally known as a horseback, approaches 
the ravine from the north, terminating at its entrance. 
Resuming its form and course at the south end of the 
ravine, it extends through several towns. 

At some points this moraine presents the appearance 
of a well constructed road. At other points it broadens 
and sometimes reaches an elevation of forty or fifty feet. 
Sections of it are used for the public travel and are kept 
in good condition at trifling cost. On each side of the 
hilly range near the line of the moraine there are deep 
basins resembling the basin of a pond. 

Geologists trace the existence of the ravine, the 
moraine and basins to the same source. 

According to their theory, an immense glacier or ice- 
berg, coming from the north in the glacial period of 
many thousand years ago, moving with irresistible force 
towards the present oceanic waters, made its way through 
the hilly range leaving the notch to inspire coming 



18 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

generations with wonder. In its progress it had scooped 
up enormous quantities of drift, which, becoming incor- 
porated with it, formed a constituent part of this huge 
glacier. 

As it moved onward, the drift, inckiding clay, sand, 
gravel, pebbles and boulders, was deposited, forming a 
ridge now known as a moraine. An examination of this 
moraine reveals the existence of all the materials included 
in the geologic term, drift. 



Water Courses 

The town of Garland divides its waters between the 
Penobscot and Kennebec Rivers. The Kenduskeag, 
which is the largest stream in the town, rises near the 
center of the town of Dexter from north to south, and 
nearly two miles west of its eastern limit. It flows into 
Pleasant Pond, a small sheet of water extending from 
West Garland into Dexter. Emerging from Pleasant 
Pond, it flows easterly to Garland Village, thence south- 
easterly through the towns of Corinth, Kenduskeag and 
Glenburn to Bangor, where its waters mingle with those 
of the Penobscot River. On its course through Garland 
its waters are used to propel machinery at West Garland, 
Garland Village and Holt's Mills. The Kenduskeag is 
fed by numerous streamlets flowing from the southern 
slope of the hilly range which traverses the town from 
east to west. 



HTSTOKY OF GARLAND, MAINF, 19 

Main Stream 

Main Stream rises on the north side of the hilly range 
in Garland and enters Dexter near its northeast corner. 
After leaving Dexter it finds its way to the Kennebec 
River through Moose Pond in Harmony and the Sebasti- 
cook Stream. 



Sources of Information Relating to the Local 
History of Garland 

Existing records show when and by whom the 
exterior lines of the present town of Garland were run ; 
also when and by whom the township was divided 
into lots. Mr. Williamson, in his history of Maine, 
tells us in a single brief sentence upon the authority of 
Abner Sanborn, a former prominent and intelligent 
citizen of the township, that the beginnings were 
made by Joseph Garland, Isaac Wheeler and Josiah 
Bartlett. Also Levi Lincoln was one of the original 
proprietors, hence the plantation was called Lincolntown. 
But of the occurrences aside from these, from 1802 to 
1811, the writer has been unable to find any record. 
The early settlers, confronted by common hardships, 
inspired by common purposes and bound together by 
common sympathies, worked together for the common 
welfare. But this was the voluntary labor of the mem- 
bers of an unorganized community and there is no 
record of purposes or results. The material for the 
history of the nine eventful years that precede the incor- 
poration of the town, is, therefore, of a traditional 
character. 



20 HISTORY OF GARLAXD, MAINE 

Who the first settlers were — whence, when and wh}^ 
they came — where they made their beginnings — the 
hardships they encountered — ^the privations they suffered 
— most of these things rest largely upon human remem- 
brances. But the remembrances of the events of those 
early years were very clear in the minds of many of the 
men who lived to see the middle of the century that wit- 
nessed their early struggles in the wilderness. Events, 
which, in the rush of the present would be forgotten in 
a day if noticed at all, were full of meaning to them and 
never forgotten. The crowing of a cock, the curling 
smoke above the tree tops in new directions were to 
them joyful assurances of the coming of other families 
into the townships. 

The advent of the first physician was an occasion for 
special rejoicing. The occasional sermon from an 
itinerary minister was never obliterated from the memory 
of those who heard it. 

The coming of the blacksmith, of the carpenter, of 
the shoemaker, of the tanner, supplied wants of pressing 
importance. These, and kindred events which now seem 
trivial, were to them matters of vital interest. They 
were occasions for the exchange of congratulations among 
themselves, and were rehearsed to their children and 
grandchildren with a ft-equency and particularity of 
detail that riveted them in the minds of both narrator 
and listener. 

Among the persons who furnished valuable information 
relating to events which occun*ed, both before and after 
the incorporation of the town, were Deacon John S. 
Haskell and his sons — Daniel M., John K., Wm. S. 
and Jacob W. Haskell, — Moses Gordon and his sons, 
Horace, Parker and Albert G. Gordon. Special acknowl- 
edgements are due to Moses G. Gordon for much valua- 
ble information relating to the earliest inhabitants of the 
town. 



HISTORY OK (iAllLAND, ^lAINK 21 

Stories of the Pioneers 

In 1846, and tlie years immediate!}' following, the 
writei* was an occasional listener to stories of pioneer 
life in Garland from the lips of the pioneers. These 
stories were of tedious journeyino-.s to the township while 
yet it was a part of a wilderness of many miles in extent 
— sometimes in mid-winter on sleds drawn by slow mov- 
ing teams, when men, women and children were assailed 
by pitiless blasts and drifting snows — sometimes on 
horseback, when the rider with his scant supply of food 
and clothing closely packed in a leather bag, pursued his 
lonely way, guided by spotted lines — sometimes on foot 
when the maker of a future iiome, with his bundle dan- 
gling from the handle of the axe across his shoulder made 
slow progress towards the township of his choice ; and 
sometimes a part of the little journey was performed on 
rude fishing smacks, manned by drunken sailors, when 
the passengers were in constant peril of being consigned 
to watery graves. 

Graphic descriptions were given of hastily constructed 
cabins, where chilly snows driven by wintry blasts entered 
unbidden, destitute of every convenience that makes 
housekeeping attractive — with hand to hand contests 
with the stern old forest that had withstood the storms 
of centuries, for the possession of a cleared space whereon 
to make a home and secure the crops for the subsistence 
of the family — of painful, and often final separation 
from relatives and friends, to whom they were bound by 
ties of blood and friendship, and deprived, even, of com- 
munication with them except at long and uncertain inter- 
vals, when the nearest post-office was twenty-five miles 
away and could be reached only on foot or horseback 
and the postage on two letters would cost a healthy 
woman the wages of a full week — of struggles with debts 



SJSJ HISTOllY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

in a region destitute of currency — of burdens of build- 
ing roads and bridges without the power of levying 
taxes — of destitution of schools and religious privileges, 
which in a New England community were esteemed as 
among the most precious legacies of New England 
citizenship. 

It must not be inferred, however, that to the early 
settlers, life in the wilderness, invested as it was with 
privations and hardships, was devoid of enjoyment. 
They were robust, earnest, courageous men. The grand 
old forest which covered their rude cabins was a constant 
inspiration to noble endeavor. They had an important 
and well defined end to accomplish, which was nothing- 
less than to subdue the wilderness that had covered the 
haimts of the moose, the wolf and the bear, and replace 
it with the institutions of civilization. They came to 
lay the foundation of a typical New England communit}', 
which, in due time, would become a constituent part of 
an independent state. 

In their visions of the future, they saw the wilderness 
retiring step by step before their vigorous assaults, to 
give place to fields of waving grain, to pastures covered 
with flocks and herds, and orchards laden with fruit. 
They saw attractive and convenient houses in place of 
log-cabins and rude huts. They saw those characteristic 
institutions of New England, the church and the school- 
house, smiling from the hilltops and nestling in the val- 
leys. They saw, also, the New England town meeting, 
where the capable and ambitious would be called to 
places of honor and trust, and the humblest citizen would 
have a voice on all questions of local polic}'. All these 
things came within the range of their expectations and 
each step in the actual present towards the realization 
of the ideal future afforded satisfaction and encourage- 
ment. 



HISTORY OF GAIILANI), MAINE 23 

Disappearing 

At the date of the narrations alluded to in the fore- 
going chapter, more than forty years had elapsed since 
the blows of the settler's axe were first heard in the 
township. Those who had come in the strength of 
early manhood, if living, were far advanced in life. 
Some had moved to other places to find homes with chil- 
dren or relatives. Others "weary with the march of 
life"' were dropping from the ranks. They had wrought 
well and endured much, not for themselves alone, but for 
their descendants as well. Their sturdy blows compelled 
the wilderness to give place to the homes we occupy. 
They richly merit a warm place in the memory of those 
who come after them. Let not their voices come to us 
from the misty past in the pathetic refrain : 

"Ye do not answer us! Ye do not hear! 
We are forgotten and, in your austere 
And calm indifference, ye little care 
Whether we come or go, or whence or where. 

"What passing generations fill these halls, 
What passing voices echo from these walls 
Ye heed not! We are only as the blast, 
A moment heard and then forever past !' * 

Longfellow. 

No, the men to whom we owe so much must never be 
forgotten. The printed page shall bear to the genera- 
tions which follow them and us the history of their deeds. 



24 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAIXE 

Beginnings 

"Waking, I dream. Before my vacant eyes, 
In long procession, shadowy forms arise; 
Far through the vista of the silent years, 
I see a venturous band — the pioneers. 
Who let the sunlight through the forest gloom. 
Who bade the harvest wave, the garden bloom." 

O. W. Holmes. 

At the opening of the summer of 1801, the present 
town of Garland presented an area of six square miles 
of heavy forest growth, the continuity of which was 
nowhere broken except by a small natural pond lying 
partly in Garland and partly in Dexter, from which 
flows the Kenduskeag stream, and several small bogs at 
different points. But this condition of things was soon 
to be changed. 

Forces had been organized which, in due time, would 
transfer the township to the influences of civilization. 



The First Opening- 
It is the month of June of the summer of 1801. The 
reader may imagine that one of the sturdy pioneers has 
come to the township for the purpose of selecting a lot 
of land whereon he may establish a home. Our pioneer 
believes that he will have the first choice of lots within 
the limits of the township, and proposes to make a 
leisurely and careful examination of its diff*erent sections 
so that his selections may not discredit his judgment in 
the years to come. To facilitate the work he has in 
hand, he establishes his camp near the center of the 
township, close by the site of the present residence of 
James M. Stone, originally the Joseph True place. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAIXK 25 

On a beautiful June morning, after a hastily prepared 
breakfast of pork and Indian bread, he starts out from 
camp and guided by the surveyor's line of the preceding- 
year, which leads him over the present route of the 
center road running east, he travels leisurely towards the 
eastern limit of the township. At the end of one and a 
half miles he has reached the elevation upon which Joseph 
C. Treadwell now resides. He still fancies that he is the 
only human being in the township. But the illusion is 
suddenly dispelled by the ring of the sharp, incisive 
blows of an axe plied by sinewy arms. Recovering his 
equanimity, which had for the moment been disturbed by 
the discovery that he was not alone in the township, he 
passes eagerly towards the spot from which the sounds 
proceed. He reaches the point of interest in time to see 
one of those giants of the forest that has withstood the 
storms of centuries, yield to the blows of the woods- 
man's axe and move majesticalh^ through the air, carry- 
ing to the ground in the embrace of its long, strong arms, 
man}' a smaller tree standing in range, that has been 
"notched," with a force that seemed to shake the solid 
earth. Advancing a few rods, he finds himself face to 
face with the man the blows of whose axe attracted him 
to the spot. He learns that the name of this man is 
David A. Gove, that he is an agent of the proprietors to 
promote the settlement of the township, that he is a 
resident of New Ohio, now Corinth, that he emigrated 
from Nottingham, N. H. , that he selected this lot while 
assisting in the surve}" of the township the preceding 
year for his friend, Josiah Bartlett of Nottingham, who 
intends to establish a home here, and that he has just 
commenced felling ten acres of trees for Mr. Bartlett. 

This first opening was made in 1801 upon the elevation 
on the old Bartlett farm now covered by an orchard, a 
little way east of the present residence of Calvin 
Campbell. This lot is number three in the sixth range. 



26 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

Conflicting Claims 

Some of the friends of the late Isaac Wheeler, Esq. , 
have claimed for him the distinction of making the first 
opening in the township. This claim does not seem to 
be well founded. It is certain that his beginning was 
not made earlier than 1802. His friends do not claim 
for it an earlier date. The late Obed Bartlett of Boston, 
Mass., said that he had often heard his father, Josiah 
Bartlett, affirm that his was the first opening in the 
township. 

Deacon John S. Haskell felled ten acres of trees in the 
township in 1802. He says that the sixteen or eighteen 
men who had beginnings in that year worked in com- 
panies of five or six men each upon one lot after another, 
or, in the parlance of the times, they changed work — 
that at the end of each week they repaired to the resi- 
dence of a Mr. Sanborn in Charleston to spend the 
Sabbath, and that on their way to that point they 
passed an opening on the old Bartlett place which they 
supposed was made a year earlier. There was a tradition 
among the old settlers of a good natured rivahy between 
Josiah Bartlett and Joseph Garland relating to the name 
that should be given to the township when incorporated. 
Mr. Bartlett claimed the honor of giving it his name for 
the reason that his opening was the first therein. Mr. 
Garland claimed the honor upon the ground that he had 
established the first family in the township. The 
parties to the dispute finally agreed that the one who 
presented the first son to the township, born within its 
limits, should be allowed to give his own name to the 
future town. An event soon after occurred in the family 
of Mr. Garland that decided the question in his favor, 
and when it was incorporated in 1811, it took the name 
of Garland bv unanimous consent. 



HISTOKV OF UARl^AND, MAINE 27 

Events of 1802 in the Township 

The events that occurred in the township in 1802 
seemed to promise its early occupation by famihes. In 
the summer of this year openings were made on nine- 
teen different lots with the purpose of making homes 
for an equal number of families. These openings were 
widely scattered over the township. The proprietors 
had unwisely determined to withhold from sale the lots 
on each alternate range with the expectation that when 
the lots available to settlers had been peopled, those on 
the reserved ranges would command higher prices. This 
policy brought numerous hardships and discomforts to 
the inhabitants and retarded the growth of the township. 
It separated families by long distances in a wilderness, 
destitute of roads, while every consideration of comfort 
and convenience, of safety and sympathy, made it very 
desirable to have these homes in such proximity to each 
other as to favor neighborly intercourse. 

It increased largel}^ the burdens of road making and 
delayed the division of the town into school districts, 
the building of school houses and the opening of schools. 

The names of the men who made beginnings in the 
township in the summer of 1802, the places from which 
they came so far as known, and the lots upon which they 
settled, are as follows : 

Moses Hodsdon of Levant, Me., now Kenduskeag, 
took possession of lot number seven of the fourth range 
as agent of the proprietors who desired to retain it 
because it encompassed the principal water power in the 
township. Lot number seven in the sixth range was 
selected by Isaac Wheeler, Esq., of Rutland, Mass. 
John S. Haskell of New Gloucester, Maine, selected lot 
number eleven in the fifth range, which is noM- owned by 
one of his grandsons. Thomas S. Tyler settled on lot 



28 HISTOKV OF GARLAND, MAINE 

number nine in the fifth range. Edward Sargent of 
Boscawen, N. H., made a beginning on lot number 
three in the fifth range. He built a camp near the 
present residence of Samuel O. Davis. Being a car- 
penter he early came to the conclusion that a carpenter's 
wages in Bangor promised a more certain support for a 
family than farming in a new township. He left the 
township and took up his residence in Bangor. Samuel 
O. Davis and David Allen now^ own and occupy the lot 
abandoned by Edward Sargent. 

William Sargent, a brother of Edward Sargent, made 
a beginning on lot number three in the fifth range, where 
he resided for several years. About the year 1817, he 
caught what was then known as the "Ohio fever," a 
disease that resulted from cold seasons preceding that 
date, and like many other citizens of Maine, he sought 
relief bv emigrating to Ohio. The lot which he aban- 
doned was unoccupied until 1828, when Joseph Sargent, 
a brother of Williavn, purchased it and erected buildings 
upon it, where he resided for many years. It subsequentlv 
passed into the hands of Luther liideout and is now- 
occupied by his son, James L. Rideout. 

John M. Chase, from Danville, Maine, made a begin- 
ning on lot number one in the seven tli range. It after- 
wards passed into the hands of Isaac Wheeler, Esq. It 
was owned and occupied by Ezekiel Page for some years 
and subsequently by Bradbury G. Atkins, whose family 
own and occupy it at the pi-esent time. 

John Tyler, from New Gloucester, Maine, made a 
begiiuiing on lot five in the seventh range. The Tyler 
place was afterwards owned and occupied by John L. 
Jack man. Charles H. Brown is the present oM'ner and 
occupant. 

Joseph Garland, who had the honor of giving name 
to the town, made a beginning upon lot nine in the 



HISTOliV OF aAKI,AN-l), MA INK 29 

seventh range, where he cleared land, erected buildings 
and i-esided for about twenty-f]\e } ears. Samuel Greeley, 
from Salisbury, N. H., purchased this farm about the 
year 1827, where he lived until his death, when it passed 
into the hands of his son, James Greelev. It is now 
owned b}' David Dearborn. 

Enos Quimby made a beginning on lot number ten in 
the seventh range, where he I'emained but a short time. 

Thomas Finson made a beginning on lot four, which he 
subsequently sold to Moses Smith and left the township. 
Mr. Finson emigrated from New Gloucester, Maine. 

Peter Chase made a beginning on lot seven in the 
seventh range and built a house three years later, but 
abandoned it soon after, ne>er having a famih- here. 

Arnold Murray, from Palermo, Maine, made a begin- 
ning on lot eight in the ninth range. 

Justus Harriman, from Salisbury, N. H., made a 
beginning on lot nine in range nine, where he remained 
through life. 

James Garland, from Salisbury, N. H., made a begin- 
ning on lot ten in the ninth range. 

Thomas Gilpatrick made a beginning on lot eleven in 
the ninth range. 

Joseph Sainiders, from New Gloucester, Maine, made 
a beginning on a part of lot four, range nine. 

The ranges of land which co\cred the sui'face of the 
township extended from its eastern to its western limit. 
Of the men who made beginnings in 1802, five selected 
lots on range five, an equal number made beginnings on 
range se\en, and seven of those men showed a preference 
for range nine. The latter range runs near the summit 
of the range of hills which extends from east to west 
across the northern section of the town. This range 
now embraces some of the most productive lands in the 
town. 



30 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

A majority of the pioneers who made beginnings in 
1802 became residents of the town for longer or shorter 
periods. Some of them lived here to a good old age, 
and, casting off the responsibilities of active life, where 
many years earlier they had assumed them, they quietly 
passed their last years in the homes which their own 
sinew}' arms had wrested from the wilderness. 



The First Family 

In the vear 1801, there was living among the hills of 
New Hampshire in the town of Salisbury, a family 
embracing the father, mother, and three children of tender 
age, the threads of whose subsequent history are closely 
interwoven with those of the early history of the town of 
Garland. It was the famil}^ of Joseph Garland, The 
tide of emigration from various sections of New Hamp- 
shire was setting towards the region in the Province of 
Maine which encircles the present city of Bangor. 
Moved by the tendencies of the times and encouraged 
by the favorable representations of relatives and acquaint- 
ances who had visited the township now known as (xar- 
land, Mr. Garland selected it as the site of his future 
home. With two horses harnessed to an emigrant's 
wagon he started on his tedious journey "down east" 
with his family and such household goods as he would 
first and most need. 

This was in the autumn of 1801. Reaching the town 
of Bucksport, he remained at the place through the 
winter. His nearness now to the site of his future home 
enabled him to build a small cabin of logs and to make 
preparations foi" the reception of his family before he 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 31 

should again change base. In June, 1802, he resumed 
his journey with his family and reached Bangor at the 
end of the first day. The second day's journey brought 
the family to the Wilkins place, now known as the 
Bacon place, in the southwest part of Charleston, where 
they passed the night. This was the nearest point to 
their little cabin in the forest that could be reached by 
a team of horses. Their journey was completed by 
methods of a more primitive character. On the morn- 
ing of the third and last day of the journey, Mrs. 
Garland was helped to the back of one of the horses and 
the youngest child was placed in her arms. Mr. Garland 
mounted the second horse and took another of the chil- 
dren. Daniel Wilkins, afterwards a well known citizen 
of Charleston, took charge of the third child. Thus 
organized, the party, accompanied by two or three other 
men, moved slowly but cheerily through a dense forest, 
guided on their way by spotted trees. Crossing the 
east line of the township their route led them in a north- 
westerly direction near the sites of the present homes of 
Mrs. Leonard Skillin, Thos. B. Packard, Samuel O. 
Davis, James L. Rideout, A. Hanson and thence north 
of the meadow to the store of David E. Knight. From 
this point, following the line of the road that leads to 
the present home of David Dearborn, they reached the 
little cabin that rested in the "gloom of the forest*" at 
the foot of the slope west of the present residence of 
Mr. Dearborn. 

A number of men who were engaged in felling trees in 
different parts of the township, left their work and 1 lur- 
ried to the point where the expected newcomers would 
cross the township line. On the approach of the party 
the old forest rang with cheers for the heroic woman, who 
was the first white woman to enter the new township. 
These men of rough exterior but warm hearts, escorted 



&% HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

her to the little cabin by the brook that was to be her 
home for the first few years, gallantly removing the 
obstacles that lay in her pathway. 

It is doubtful if any woman has since been conducted 
into the town by so large and appreciative an escort. 

Mrs. Garland's ride into the township was not accom- 
plished without an accident, which was fraught with 
some danger. In fording one of the streams that crossed 
her pathway the horse was frightened by the barking of 
a dog and she was jolted from her saddle, but the prompt 
assistance of a man who was walking by her side saved 
her from an involuntary bath. 

Mr. Garland and his wife, with their three small chil- 
dren, were the first family to establish a home in the 
present town of Garland, and the}^ had come to stay. 

The date of their coming was June 22, 1802. To 
them belongs the honor of giving date to the settlement 
of the town — nor was it an empty honor coming to them 
by accident. On the contrary, it came as the result of 
an intelligent purpose to establish a home, where, by 
honest toil they could secure a comfortable living — a 
home which would be one of a community of homes 
where they could enjoy the social, educational and relig- 
ious privileges, which are so highly prized by the 
descendants of a Puritan ancestry. 

Mr. Garland and his family were now face to face with 
the privations and hardships of a life in the wilderness, 
when through the long winter which followed they were 
the sole residents of the township. Their rude cabin 
afforded very imperfect protection from wind, rain and 
snow. A large stone fire-place, surrounded with a 
smoke flue of sticks and clay, was made to do service for 
warming and cooking. I'heir furniture was of the most 
primitive character. In place of chairs they used blocks 
of wood of suitable size and height. Their cooking 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAIXK 33 

utensils were limited to indispensable articles. Their 
surroundings were in striking contrast with those they 
had left behind. But having deliberately determined to 
establish a home in the township of their choice, they 
cheerfully accepted the changes it involved and looked 
hopefully towards the "better time coming." 



The First Fruit Nursery 

Mr. Garland had felled ten acres of trees on the site 
of the present residence of David Dearborn. Among 
his earliest acts in the line of farming, with an eye to 
the future wants of the township, he carefully cleared a 
half acre of land and planted it with apple seeds which 
he had brought from his New Hampshire home. The 
seeds sprang up and the young trees grew vigorously. 
Mr. Garland soon found himself the proprietor of a val- 
uable nursery. Some of our older citizens have distinct 
and pleasant remembrances of this old nursery. Some 
of the stumps of the trees that grew in it are still to be 
seen. When the young trees had reached a suitable size, 
John S. Haskell transplanted a small orchard from this 
nursery, and eight years later Mrs. Haskell made pies 
from the fruit of it. This was the first time that their 
children had indulged in the luxury of an apple pie. 

Many of the old orchards in this and neighboring- 
towns were planted from this nursery. In the absence 
of roads men carried trees from it upon their shoulders 
many miles, guided on their way through the dense for- 
est by spotted trees. Enos Flanders of Sangerville car- 
ried twelve trees on his shoulders through the woods to 
his home, a distance of twelve miles. Seth Nelson of 



34 HISTORY OV (iAHLAND, JIAINE 

Guilford obtained trees from it to plant his first orchard. 
Loring's History of Piscataquis County is authority for 
saying that William Farnham of Sangerville brought 
young apple trees from Garland upon his shoulders and 
planted the first orchard in town. In his history of 
Guilford Mr. Loring says that, "As nursery trees could 
not be obtained nearer than Garland, and as thei-e was 
no summer road thither, Deacon Herring, Captain 
Bennett and Nathaniel Herring brought young apple 
trees from that place upon their shoulders fully sixteen 
miles and set out the first three orchards in town. In 
about eight years they ate fruit from them.'' 

Thus the thoughtful consideration of Mr. Garland in 
planting this early nursery Ijrought to many of the set- 
tlers of this, and neighboi-ing townships at an early date, 
a luxur}' more generally esteemed and highly valued than 
any other that grows from New England soil. 

There is another incident of interest connected with 
this luu'serv. In the year 1807 or 1808, Moses Gordon, 
who had become a resident of the township in 1805, 
visited his native town, Hopkinton, N. H., making the 
journey on horseback. On his return he brought scions 
from an apple tree in the orchard of a Mr, Flanders, an 
old neighbor, which were ingrafted upon trees in Mr. 
Garland's nursery. The fi'uit from these scions proved 
to be an early and excellent fall apple and was the only 
ingrafted fruit in this town for many years. It has 
always been known here as the Flanders apple, and to 
Moses Gordon belongs the credit of its introduction to 
this town. 



HISTOKY OF GARLAND, MAINE 35 

Pearly Buildings 

In the early settlement of Garland lo^-cabins were 
few and far between. The proprietors of the town- 
ship caused a saw-mill to be built and to be made 
ready for use as soon as houses would be needed by incom- 
ing families. 

This mill was placed on the site of the mill now occu- 
pied by Edward Washburn. Thei'e was, also, a saw-mill 
at Filkinstown, now Dexter, as early as 1803, where set- 
tlers in the west and northwest part of the township 
covild obtain boards to cover their buildings. Log barns 
for temporary use were common, but the first framed 
barn in the township was built by John M. Chase in 
the summer of 1802, on lot one in the seventh range. 
The site of this barn may now be seen on the farm of 
the late Bradbury G. Atkins. 

The first framed house was built in the autumn of 
180'2 on lot five in the seventh range, near the site of 
the present residence of Charles H. Brown. Joseph 
Treadwell, the grandfather of our pi'esent citizen, Joseph 
C. Treadwell, built this house for John Tyler. Mr. 
Treadwell came from his home in Danville, Maine, on 
hoi'seback, bringing his tools with him. He cut and 
hewed the timber for the house, hauled it with his horse, 
framed it and superintended the subsequent work until it 
was ready for use. An old-fashioned roof wdth double 
slope covered the body of the house. Years ago this 
old landmark was removed by John L. Jackman to give 
place to a house of more modern style. This old farm 
is now owned and occupied by Charles H. Brown. Some 
of our older citizens will remember with pathetic interest, 
the tall, spare, pale, patient and sorrowful woman, Aunt 
Susan Tyler, the last of her family, who lived in the 
quaint old house, tenderly caring for many years for an 
imbecile brother. 



36 HISTOKV OF GARLAXn, :\IAINE 

The First Saw- Mill 

There was nothing more essential to the convenience 
and well being of the new settlements in eastern Maine 
than the saw and grist-nii]l. lint the saw-mill was first 
in the order of importance. The early settlers could 
spin their Hax, theii* cotton and their wool and make 
their cloth at home. They could throw their bags of 
corn and wheat across the back of a horse, and guided 
by spotted lines, could travel considerable distances to 
get their milling done without much hardship. 

But the transportation of lumber for their buildings 
through a wilderness without roads, across streams with- 
out bridges and through swamps with uncertain depths 
of mud, involved hardships. 

The saw-mill was therefore regarded as an institution 
of great usefulness. In early Colonial times it was pro- 
tected by special legislation and mill owners were 
regarded with marked consideration. In 1824 the Legis- 
lature of Maine enacted a law to encourage the settle- 
ment of townships in northern Maine, which provided — 
' 'That a tract of land not exceeding two hundred acres, 
together with the best mill site in any such township, 
shall be reserved, and at the direction of the Agent 

* 5K * * j^g^y |3g given to any person or persons who 
shall erect the first saw-mill and grist-mill thereon 

* * * within three years from the time the settle- 
ment shall first commence in such township." 

It is not strange that the presence of a saw-mill in the 
township which was to be the home of New England 
families was regarded with great satisfaction. It marked 
the transition from the log-cabin to the house of greater 
convenience and more attractive exterior. It was an 
index of the progress of intelligence and refinement. It 



HISTORY OK (JARLAXn, MAINE 37 

is tiTie that these qualities are often found in the log- 
cabin, but like caged birds they Hy to more congenial 
conditions at first opportunity. 

The earliest establishment in the township — now Gar- 
land — for the common benefit of its prospective inhabi- 
tants was a saw-milJ, built by the proprietors on the site 
of the present village saw-inill. The necessary mill irons 
had been shipped to Bangor in 1801. 



Story of the Crank 

Tlie late Deacon John S. Haskell often related for 
the amusement of his friends the following storj-. 
Illustrating different phases of hardships incident 
to life in the wilderness, it may appropriately be retold. 
The subject of the story was not one of those human 
cranks of twisted intellect and perverted sensibilities. 
It was a crank of a different type. In the year 1799 
the proprietors of township number four in the fifth 
range of townships north of the Waldo Patent, now 
Dexter, employed Samuel Elkins of Cornville, Maine, to 
Iniild a saw-mill in that township. A site for the mill 
was selected near the outlet of the beautiful lake wliose 
waters have since turned the wheels that have made 
Dexter one of the largest and most prosperous villages 
in the State. The mill irons had been sent to the site 
of the prospective mill for use when needed. Mr. 
Klkins had built a camp for the accommodation of his 
workmen and made other preparations to prosecute the 
work of building the mill, but before much progress 
had been made he died and the work was suspended. 

Early in the year 1801, Moses Hodsdon of Levant, 



S8 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

now Kenduskeag, had built a mill at that place which 
had been used only a short time when the mill crank was 
broken and the work was suspended. Several families 
were expected in the coming spring who were depending 
upon lumber for the construction of their cabins. A 
mill crank to replace the broken one could be obtained 
only by sending to Massachusetts. The Penobscot 
River being closed to navigation by ice there was no way 
of getting the indispensable crank before the river should 
be clear of ice. Mr. Hodsdon was in a dilemma. 

At this juncture an old hunter by the name of Snow, 
who frequented the new settlements in this section, 
appeared, and was apprised of Mr. Hodsdon's mis- 
fortune. He could help him out. 

There was he said at the Elkins place in "number 
four*' a full set of irons not in use. Mr. Elkins, who 
had been depended on to build the mill at that place, had 
died and the irons would lie unused for months. With 
his large hand sled made to haul big game on, he could, 
with help of his big sons, haul the crank belonging to the 
set over the hard crust of the deep snows to the point 
where it was needed. Mr. Hodsdon could get and use it 
and attend to the incidental matter of borrowing later. 

Yielding to the logic of necessity, Mr. Hodsdon acted 
«n the cranky suggestions of the old hunter and made a 
bargain with him which resulted a few days later in put- 
ting his saw-mill in running condition. He was now 
able to furnish lumber to enable settlers to build the 
cabins necessar)' to shelter their families. 

In the meantime lie had written to the executor of 
the Elkins estate and had been informed when the crank 
would be wanted at the Elkins place. In the autumn of 
1802, we find Mr. Hodsdon, who seems to have been a 
sort of tutelary guardian of the settlements of this 
section, under contract to build a saw-mill in township 



HISTORY OF (lARLAND, MAINE 39 

number three, now Garland. The irons for this mill 
had been shipped to Bangor in the autumn of 1801 and 
hauled to the township in February, 1802. The team 
that hauled these irons to number three, hauled the bor- 
rowed crank so far on its return to the Elkins place in 
number four. 

In the autumn of 1802, Mr. Hodsdon commenced 
building the mill in number three with a crew embrac- 
ing several men who had been making beginnings earlier 
in the season. Among the latter were John S. Haskell 
and Isaac Wheeler, Esq. The time stipulated for the 
return of the borrowed crank which was lying passively 
near the mill site in number three had arrived. Mr. 
Hodsdon was now confronted with the question of "ways 
and means." There was no available team to haul it to 
the place from which the old hunter had taken it. If 
there liad been a team at hand there was not the 
semblance of a road, not even a spotted line to indicate 
the way. No one of Mr. Hodsdon's crew had ever vis- 
ited number five. No one of the crew knew what rugged 
hills or impassable swamps might be encountered on the 
way to the objective point. 

There was, however, one large powerful horse at hand. 
Tradition says he was owned by a Mr. Stevens of Blais- 
delltown (Exeter), but there was neither harness nor 
vehicle. The old proverb that "necessity is the mother 
of invention" was illustrated anew. Mr. Moses, the 
master carpenter, made a wooden frame large enough for 
the crank to rest on, which could be securely fastened to 
the back and shoulders of the horse. It was now neces- 
sary to have a line spotted from the west line of number 
three to the mill site in number four to guide the men 
who were charged with the return of the crank. Just 
at the right time another old hunter appeared. His 
name was Peter Brawn. He claimed to have hunted and 



40 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 



trapped game over the whole region and he could indi- 
cate the easiest route to the mill site in number four with 
certainty. 

Peter was shrewd and plausible. Like many men of 
the present time, he believed that places of trust are 
instituted for the benefit of those who fill them. He 
was often employed to indicate the most feasible route of 
travel between two places separated by miles of forest, 
whose inhabitants desired to be brought into neighborly 
relations. Peter's ruling passion was hunting, and his 
work of a more public character was made to contribute 
to the capture of game. If the game he sought bur- 
rowed in the highlands, the route he indicated for travel 
would sometimes lead over the highest hills. If he was 
trapping animals whose congenial haunts were along the 
borders of bogs, swamps and ponds, the unfortunates who 
followed his lines were very liable to be led through mud 
and water. But, of this trait of the plausible Peter, 
the party hiring him was ignorant. He was therefore 
employed to make a safe and easy route to the mill site 
in number four, with strict injunctions to avoid hills 
and especialh' muddy places. All the necessary prepara- 
tions to start the crank anew on its rounds having been 
completed, John S. Haskell and Gideon Haskell, both 
stalwart and resolute men, were detailed to return the 
crank to the place where its wanderings began. The 
horse, which was to be an important factor in this impor- 
tant service, was placed in position to receive the load, 
the saddle was carefully adjusted, the wooden frame was 
placed upon the horse and securely fastened, the crank 
was put upon the frame and the expedition was ready 
to move. 

It was a cloudy and dark September morning and the 
atmospheric conditions were such as to inspire the heart 
with a sort of indefinable dread. Prudence dictated 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 41 

dela}', but the Haskells were accustomed to exposure and 
hardship and could bid defiance to wind and rain. They 
took no compass, but what need of a compass when the 
confident Peter would make the way so plain that they 
could not miss it ! They started from the site of the 
present village grist-mill, and moving cautiously north 
to the corner near the site of the present Congregational 
meeting house, they turned their faces towards the west 
and followed the line of the present county road leading 
to Dexter to a point nearl}' a mile beyond the west line 
of township number three. Here the line of the hunter, 
making an angle towards the south, led them down a 
sharp declivity to the margin of an impassable bog where 
it terminated. The most careful inspection failed to 
indicate a continuation of the line. The unwelcome 
conviction was forced upon the Haskells that the plausi- 
ble Peter had proved false. 

And now a series of performances commenced that 
were not down on the program. The horse that had 
patiently born his heavy load thus far was relieved of his 
burden and fed upon coarse grass that grew on the border 
of the bog. The Haskells were now alive to the gravity 
of the situation. They were in a dense, and to them, 
an unknown forest without compass to guide them and 
the sun was still obscure by threatening clouds. The 
larger part of the day was still before them, which they 
spent in eager search for some track or trail that would 
suggest the wa}' out, but in vain. After fruitless 
wanderings, continued until nightfall, they found them- 
selves at the edge of an opening now known as the 
Batchelder Hill in Dexter, but were ignorant of the fact. 
They hallooed loud and long, hoping to hear an answer- 
ing voice, but there was no response. 

To add to their discomfort it began to rain and hav- 
ina: done all thev could do until the light of the morrow 



42 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

should encourage fresh efforts, they camped for the 
night. After a brief time spent in recounting the events 
of the day and invoking imprecations upon the head of 
"old Brawn," they fell asleep and slept until the dawn 
of a new morning. It was still raining. 

Hastily eating the small remnant of food with which 
they had supplied themselves, they promptly renewed 
their efforts to extricate themselves from the uncertain- 
ties by which they were environed. After a brief search 
they found the tracks of a horse, but they were so com- 
pletely bewildered that thev followed the trail they had 
struck in a direction opposite from that intended, pass- 
ing the site of the present residence of Artemas Barton, 
and a small cabin that had just been built by William 
Mitchell for use the following spring. Following the 
trail a little farther they reached an opening near the site 
of the residence of Horace Jennings, now owned by 
Seth Bessey, then known as the Severance opening. 
Being now convinced that they were traveling in the 
wrong direction they were about to retrace their steps 
when, unfortunately, both men recalled a rumor that a 
line plainly marked for the route of a future road had 
been run from New Ohio (Corinth) to the mill site in 
number four. Eagerly seizing this rumor they started 
in a southerly direction in search for this mythical line. 
In imagination they could see it stretching in either 
direction and leading to a place of safety whichever way 
it was followed. The search was continued until night 
but the line which they saw so clearly early in the day 
had vanished. They were now on the margin of an 
almost impenetrable swamp in the present town of 
Corinna. 

Retracing their steps to drier land, they prepared 
themselves for another night in the forest with nothing 
to compensate them for their da3''s wandering save 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 43 

hunger, weariness and uncertainty. The morning of 
the third da}' opened with the same dreary aspect as had 
those of the two preceding days. The usual welcome 
breakfast was omitted on account of the absence of the 
materials which enter into that meal. 

After a brief and earnest consultation, the men decided 
to return to the Severance opening and follow the trail 
they left there in the opposite direction from what they 
had done the preceding day. This movement led them 
to the Batchelder opening where they had camped at the 
end of the first day's wanderings. A mile additional 
travel brought them to a small opening hemmed in by 
hills on the east and west. 

Through the center of the opening a stream passed 
quite rapidly. In a corner of the opening, well sheltered 
by the forest, there was a small cabin from whose chim- 
ney the smoke curled gracefully to the open space above 
the tops of the tall trees. To their great joy the} had 
at last found the mill site in township number four. 
Their joy was intensified by finding that the little cabin 
was occupied by a man and woman whose names were 
Small — Ebenezer Small and wife, the memory of whose 
names is still cherished by the loyal citizens of Dexter 
with affectionate regard, and who are honored as having 
been the first settlers of this enterprising town. 

Mr. and Mrs. Small were greatly surprised by the 
sudden appearance of the weather-beaten strangers, and 
with a woman's intuition the latter instantly compre- 
hended their most pressing immediate requirements, and 
in the shortest possible time placed before them a 
delicious dish of pounded corn, boiled in milk. 

The town of Dexter has long been noted for its 
hospitality and elaborate entertainments, but her citizens 
will regard it as no disparagement should it be said that 
no entertainment within its limits has ever been proffered 



44 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

by more hospitable hands, or accepted with a keener 
sense of appreciative gratitude than on this occasion. 
Dinner finished, the first thought was for the hungry 
horse three miles away by the margin of the miry bog. 
He must be found and fed. The remaining hours of 
the day afforded but scant time for this service, but Mr. 
Small being acquainted with the section of the township 
between the mill site and the bog, conducted the men to 
the spot where the horse was tied. 

The hungry animal greeted the coming of the men 
with expressions of satisfaction that seemed almost 
human. Not being in condition to bear his load to its 
destination, they untied him and stai-ted on their return 
to the cabin in the opening, but darkness soon enveloped 
them and seriously impeded their progress. As they 
were groping slowly and doubtfully along the resonant 
tones of the old tin horn reached their ears. It is safe 
to assume that no music of orchestra or band ever gave 
greater delight. Anticipating the difficulty the}- would 
encounter in traveling through the dense forest after 
nightfall, Mrs. Small scaled the heiglits of the hill east 
of the present village and guided tlie approaching party 
along by vigorous blasts from the old tin horn. 

On the morning of the fourth day, having been 
recuperated by a night's rest and an abundant break- 
fast, accompanied b}' Mr. Small the Haskells i-eturned to 
the spot where the faithless hunter had left them to their 
wanderings. The crank was quickly replaced and with 
a man to lead the horse and one on each side to steady 
the crank, they reached the mill site about midday. 
There was no throng of people to welcome the arri\'al of 
the historic crank, but it is easy to believe that the 
heroic Mrs. Small regarded it with lively interest. In 
her loneliness she had yearned for the society of sympa- 
thetic friends and neiglibors. To her, the rough, rusty, 



HISTORV OF (iAlU.AXD, MAINE 45 

angular and unattractive mass of" iron that had cost so 
much toil and hardship, was prophetic of the time when 
her rude, bark-covered log-cabin would give place to the 
dwelling of convenience and attractive exterior. It 
was prophetic of other homes smiling from the hill- 
sides — of the schoolhouse filled with happy children 
who were in training for intelligent citizenship, and the 
church where devout worshipers gladly assembled on 
each returning Sabbath. Mrs. Small lived to see the 
fulfilment of her dreams. 

The borrowed crani< having been returned to the 
mill site in township number four, the Haskells, 
neither of whom claimed relationship to the other, 
resumed their work on the saw-mill in number three. 
The}' had been absent four days in getting the crank 
back to its destination, a distance of less than seven 
miles. But the hardships they had encountered did 
not shield them from the jokes and pleasantries of 
their fellow-workmen. Our future deacon, John S. 
Haskell, received them with his accustomed good natured 
retorts and laughed with the rest. He was, moreover, 
a man of great physical strength and it would not have 
been safe to push the spirit of raillery to the verge of 
insult. 

With Gideon Haskell the case was different. He 
believed that the hardships of the late expedition 
entitled him to be regarded as a man of heroic qualities. 
He was inclined to put on airs and assumed to be the 
hero of the expedition. His fellow- workmen did not 
allow any incident, serious or comic, out of which fun 
and frolic could be evolved, to pass unimproved. Less 
than a quarter of a centurj- had passed since the country 
had been wrested from kingly rule, and kingly titles were 
used when purposes of burlesque were to be subserved. 
Our hero was dubbed king, and was addressed as King 



46 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

Gideon until the close of the season's work in the town- 
ship. 



Raising of the First Saw- Mill 

The carpentry upon the frame of the saw-mill was now 
nearing' completion and the day for the raising had been 
appointed. Men from surrounding settlements had been 
invited. On the night pi'eceding the eventful day the}' 
came in small squads from different points, guided by 
spotted trees. Camping on the ground through the 
night they were ready for work in the morning. While 
preparations for raising were going on frequent mysteri- 
ous allusions to a certain mill-crank, with an unusual 
history, excited the curiosity of the newcomers. This 
was followed by inquiry and the inquirer was directed 
to Gideon Haskell for information. To each man who 
approached him to hear the story, he repeated with 
great particularity of detail the account of the three 
days' wanderings in the wilderness, making his own par- 
ticipation in the affair a prominent feature of the 
account. The mill was raised without Incident worthy 
of note. An event of such importance to the township 
could not, however, be allowed to pass without being 
appropriately celebrated. The character of the cele- 
bration had been determined beforehand. The amuse- 
ments which generall}' followed raising of mills, barns 
and other large buildings in those days were omitted on 
this occasion by common consent. The unwritten pro- 
gram included an oration to the King. Daniel Wilkins 
of New Charleston, afterwards a prominent citizen of 
this section, was the orator. The sound of the axe that 
had driven the last pin into the frame of the mill was 



HISTORY OF (iARI.AND, MAINE 47 

the signal for the opening of ceremonies. Loud cries of 
"Long live King Gideon" now filled the air. At a 
little distance from the mill site, at the edge of the 
opening, there was a large tree that presented a remark- 
able angle several feet from the ground, which afforded 
an elevated and conspicuous seat. A committee of stal- 
wart men waited upon the King with an invitation to 
occup}^ the seat that had been selected for the occasion, 
who accepted the honor because it was more safe to 
accept than to decline. Shouts of "Long live King 
Gideon" were now renewed. The preliminaries having 
been concluded, the oration to the king was announced. 
No short-hand writer was present to preserve it for later 
generations, but a few of the opening sentences of this 
unique performance have been handed down : 

"Behold King Gideon who arose early in the morning, 
attended by his servant. Jack, journeyed over the high- 
way prepared by his servant, Peter, the hunter, towards 
the land of Ebenezer, whose surname was Small, whither 
he went to promote the welfare of his people. And it 
came to pass that as they journeyed, his horse being 
laden with the royal equipage, they came to a great 
swamp in the midst of the wilderness where the royal 
highway suddenly terminated. And they sought for its 
continuation with great diligence but found it not, and 
he said — peradventure my unfaithful servant, Peter, 
has gone to look for game in his traps, even the beaver 
and the otter which do abound in this great wilderness, 
and left us to perish in our wanderings. Therefore we 
will seek for a way to the land whither we are traveling, 
even the land of Ebenezer. And they tied the horse to 
a tree and fed him upon the coarse grass that grew upon 
the borders of the great swamp. And for the space of 
three days and three nights they sought diligently for 
the way to the land of Ebenezer. ' ' 



48 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

The orator proceeded with mock dignity to give a 
circumstantial account of the journey, which was 
received with uproarious laughter and applause. 

The "oration" ended, the old forests rang again with 
cries and shouts such as had never been heard, and per- 
haps never will be heard within the limits of the town. 
Aided by the inspiration of the favorite New England 
beverage of the times, these excited men kept up the 
frolic so boisterously begun, through the entire night. 
Early the next morning, starting on their way home, 
their stalwart forms soon disappeared in the shadows of 
the forest. 

Our late, well remembei-ed citizen, Isaac Wheeler, 
Esq., was present at the raising of the mill. He held 
a commission of justice of the peace which he brought 
with him from Massachusetts. Believing that his official 
dignity would be compromised by remaining with his 
boisterous associates, he quietly withdrew to his camp, 
which was located near the site of the present Baptist 
church. 

Alluding occasionally to the boisterous scenes of the 
night of the raising, he related that soon after his with- 
drawal he was missed by the crowd, whereupon a com- 
mittee was appointed to wait on him and request his 
attendance. He was enjoying his first nap when he was 
suddenly aroused b}' a violent rapping at his door. He 
sprang from his couch and, presenting himself at the 
door, demanded to know the business of the intruders. 
He was informed that his presence at the mill was 
requested. Refusing to comply, the committee 
attempted to enforce compliance, but he resisted with 
such resolution they deemed it prudent to return to the 
mill without his company. One of the intruders man- 
aged, during the parley at the door, to thrust a blazing 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 49 

brand through an opening i»i the camp and set his 
straw bed on fire. 

Gideon Haskell could neither forget nor forgive the 
rough treatment he had received at the hands of his 
fellow workmen and when the season's work was com- 
pleted, he left the township never to return. 

Deacon John S. Haskell often related with great ani- 
mation in his later years stories of pioneer life for the 
amusement of friends and acquaintances. Among these 
was the story of the mill-crank, at the close of which an 
expression of seriousness would rest upon his venerable 
features for a moment, when he would explain in tones 
at once regretful and apologetic, "Well we did have 
some pretty high times in those days." 

In September, 1 802, while the building of the mill was 
in progress, Moses Gordon and John and Jonathan 
Jones of Hopkinton, N. H., visited the township. This 
was Mr. Gordon's first visit. He came to inspect the 
lands of the township, and although he made no selec- 
tion at this time, he returned home with a favorable 
impression of the quality of its lands and its eligibilit}' 
for settling purposes. The Messrs. Jones afterward 
settled in Ripley where they became prominent citizens. 

The building of the saw-mill was the close of active 
operations in the township in 1802. Including tlie 
beginning made by Josiah Bartlett in 1801, nineteen 
openings had been made on as many different lots, one 
family had been established, a house built for another 
family, and a saw-mill had been constructed. 



The First Winter in the Township 

In the winter of 1802-3 the only family in the town- 
ship was that of Joseph Garland, embracing himself, his 



50 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

wife and three children, the eldest being scarcely five 
years old. The names of the children were Orenda, 
Timothy, Kilby and Minerva. It would be interesting 
to know more of the every-day life of that little family 
which was left to solitude and snow through that long cold 
winter than tradition has handed down. The days of the 
preceding summer had been cheered by the presence in the 
township of those kind-hearted men who had left their 
work to welcome the coming of the family and escort its 
members to the little cabin in the forest. The courageous 
bearing of Mrs. Garland had won their admiration and 
she could always afterwards count them among her 
friends, but they had now completed tlieir season's work 
and retired from the township. 

The last blow had been struck upon the saw-mill, and 
the echoes of the ringing laugh and cheerful voices of 
the workmen had ceased. 

Left alone in the wilderness it is very easy to imagine 
that a feeling of loneliness rested upon this solitary 
home. If now, discouragement and discontent had con- 
stituted the leading elements in the experience of each 
day, it would excite no surprise in the mind of the 
reader. To add to the loneliness of the situation, Mr. 
Garland was obliged to be away from home several weeks 
on business, leaving his brother Jacob, a boy of sixteen 
years, to take his place in the family. Accident, sick- 
ness or even death might visit the snow-bound house- 
hold. 

But neither discouragement, discontent nor fear of 
misfortune that might happen found place therein. 

Mrs. Garland was loyal to the interests of her husband 
and children. She entertained the conviction that faith- 
ful care of her family and the instruction of her children 
were the most important of woman's duties. This con- 
viction called out the heroic elements of her character 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 51 

and raised her to the le\ el of her responsibiHties. Her 
fortitude was sometimes severely taxed by the discom- 
forts of her situation but she met them bravely. 

Spring came at length and brought not only sunshine 
and warmth, but neighbors and companionship, if 
indeed people whose habitations were separated by 
several miles of dense forest could be regarded as neigh- 
bors and companions. In the month of March, 1803, 
Wm. Mitchell moved his family from Athens, Maine, 
into township number four, now Dexter, and took up his 
abode in the cabin he had built the preceding autumn. 
The distance between the houses of the two families was 
about three miles. An acquaintance sprang up between 
them which soon ripened into intimacy. In their inter- 
change of visits the women of these families generally 
rode on horseback guided on their way b}' spotted lines. 
Mrs. Mitchell was a woman of resolution. When she 
could not have the use of a horse, she cheerfully made 
the distance on foot. Reared under the influences of 
the same religious creed, the two women passed many a 
pleasant day together. The late Mrs. N. P. Smith, a 
daughter of Mrs. Mitchell, and for many years a resident 
of Garland, credits Mrs. Garland with the declaration 
that she had never spent a happier season than her first 
winter in the forest of the new township with her little 
family. 

In her seclusion she sought the companionship of her 
Bible and other good books which proved the beginning 
of a new religious experience, the memory of which in 
subsequent years was a perpetual source of satisfaction. 



52 HlfSTOKV OF GARLAXD, MAINE 

Township No. .-3 in 1803 

The Garland family was cheered and encouraged by 
the arrival of several families in 1803. Early in the 
spring of this year, John Tyler from New Gloucester, 
Maine, moved into the house that Joseph Treadwell had 
built for him the preceding year. 

Mr. Treadwell and his family, from Danville, Maine, 
soon followed and occupied a part of Mr. T}ler's house. 
This quaint old house was torn down years ago to give 
place to the house now owned and occupied by Charles 
H. Brown. 

The Tyler and Treadwell families were connected by 
marriage. 

John M. Chase built and moved into a house on lot 
one, range seven, where he had made an opening the 
preceding year. The site of his buildings was near the 
residence of the late Bradbury G. Atkins. The com'ing 
of the family of Benjamin Gilpatrick was probably in 
1803, although it might have been a j-ear later. 

Justus Harriman moved his family into the township 
in 1803 and established a home on lot nine, range nine, 
where he made his beginning a year earlier. He emi- 
gi-ated from Salisbury, N. H. 

John Grant from Berwick, Maine, having purchased 
the saw-mill built by Moses Hodsdon the previous year, 
together with the lot upon which it stood, emigrated to 
the township in 1803 with his family, embracing his 
wife, three sons, who had grown to manhood, and two 
daughters. William Godwin came to the township in 
1803 and purchased 100 acres of land of David A. Gove 
on lot eight, range five, where he made a beginning and 
afterwards established a home. 



HISTORY OF (;ARLAND, MAINE 58 

An Early Name 

Since the betrinning in \H()^ the township had been 
known as township number tfiree in the fifth i-ani>e. Its 
settlement had been bet>un and its contiiuied existence 
seemed assured. It was quite natural that the inhabi- 
tants should desire a inort' simple and coiiv euieni name. 
It was desirable, also, thjit tlie name shoiilrl linvc some 
historical significance. 

As it was a towiiship of flattering prospects, any one 
of its proprietors w<mld have felt honored by having his 
name associated witli its future histoi'y as one of its 
founders. One of its proprietors, in addition to personal 
merit and prominence, bore a name that stood high in 
the list of honored names of the Commonwealth of 
Massachusetts. This was Hon. Levi Lincoln, after- 
wards goxernor of his state, and by common consent the 
township was called Lincolntown until its incorporation 
in 1811. 



Old Names 

The township lying next north of Lincolntown. now 
Dover, was still designated by numbei' and range. The 
township west of it, now Dexter, was called ElkinstoM ti 
fiom Samuel and John Elkins, M'ho built the first m\]\> 
there. The township on the south, now Exeter, was 
called Blaisdelltown from Dr. Jolm Blaisdell, who had 
aided its settlement. On the east was Nev Charleston, 
now Charleston. 

The earh immes of this communitN of township> 



54 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

strike the ear strangely now. Nevertheless they are a 
part of the history of the times. 



In Quest of Food 

Corn bread and salt pork were the staple articles of 
food of the early settlers of Garland. This unwritten 
bill of fare was sometimes varied by fish taken from the 
streams which threaded the township, and wild game 
captured in the forest. 

After a year's residence in the township, the pioneer 
could raise the corn needed for his family, but not much 
pork was produced for several years. 

In the autumn of 1803, John S. Haskell was board- 
ing in the family of John Tyler. On a certain day Mrs. 
Tyler had raised the last piece of pork from the bottom 
of the l>arrel. She cut this into halves, one of which 
fell back into the brine with a splash, which if not 
"solemn," was sadly suggestive that the supply was 
running short. It was plain that a fresh supply must 
be obtained or the bill of fare curtailed. The latter 
alternative could not be submitted to if possible to avoid 
it. But a fresh supply would require a journey through 
the woods to Bangor on horseback, a distance of twenty- 
five miles, coupled with the uncertainty of finding it in 
that place. The case was urgent and Mr. Haskell volun- 
teered to make the journey. 

Knowing that his friend, Isaac Wheeler, had a quan- 
tity of the coveted article stored at Levant, now Ken- 
duskeag, for future use, he took the wise precaution of 
obtaining his consent to take a stipulated quantity of it 
in case the journey to Bangor should prove fruitless. 



HISTORY OK (iARLAND, MAINK 55 

Reaching tlie latter place in due time, he could find the 
article he was in quest of only in one place, and that was 
of the quality that the historic Jack Spratt is alleged to 
have had a preference for. Mr. Haskell ventured the 
suggestion that the price seemed high for the quality of 
the meat. The merchant replied, "It is as cheap as it 
can be afforded — take it or leave it. ' " Quietl}' accepting 
the alternative so curtly offered, he cast a lingering look 
at the barrel whose contents he had come so far to 
inspect, and bidding the proprietor a respectful good- 
bye, started on his return home. Reaching Levant he 
took from Esquire Wheeler's barrel the quantity stipu- 
lated for and resumed his journey homeward. 

At New Ohio (now Corinth) he met the old hunter. 
Snow, who two years earlier had opportunely helped 
Moses Hodsdon to the historic mill crank, to take the 
place of the one which had been unfortunate!}' broken. 
Mr. Snow had just killed and dressed a large and very 
fat bear. In those days there were more bears than 
people who relished the Hesh of that animal. It had, 
therefore, no marketable xalue, and the old hunter gave 
Mr. Haskell as much of it as he could conveniently carr}'. 
Gi'eatly elated at his good fortune, Mr. Haskell resumed 
his journey. On reaching home he informed his friends, 
Avho were impatiently awaiting his return, that he had 
brought with him "a good lot of excellent meat, both 
fresh and salted. ' ' 

It was now supper time and for obvious reasons the 
members of the family were unanimous in their desire to 
sit down to a square meal of fresh meat. A frying-pan 
of good size was forthwith placed upon the glowing coals 
and filled with generous slices. It was soon cooked and 
placed upon the table and supplemented by such other 
articles as their limited supplies afforded, it presented an 
inviting repast. Joseph Tread well and family who lived 



56 HISTORY OK (;ARi,ANl), MAINE 

under the same roof were invited to the feast. Gathered 
around the table they partook of the supper with unmis- 
takable satisftiction, the fresli meat beinj^ j^reatly 
relished. Mr. Haskell was warmly congratulated upon 
his success as caterer. And now comes the denoue- 
ment. With a mischievous twinkle of the eye, the 
caterer ((uietly informed the company that the meat they 
had eaten was not })ork as they had supposed, but the 
flesh of a beai-. A Frenchman would say that a person 
(tan learn to eat almost anything if he will only try. 
The trouble in this case was, that those who had so 
highly enjoyed the entertainment had not been used to 
eating the flesh of a bear, and French phil()sophy did nf>t 
save them from the consequences of having eaten the 
kind of food, the name of which as food had a most 
unsavory st)und. The women of the? party suddenly 
exhibiting unmistakable indications of repugnance, the 
caterer wickedly indulged in one of his heartiest laughs. 
But the tables were soon turned. Brooms were plenty 
in those days because the women could make brooms. 
A small sapling of the requisite length and size, a little 
bunch of flaky boughs of hemlock oi- ceda.r placed in 
layers, a strong flaxen string twisted on the spindle of 
the old wheel in the corner, constituted all the necessary 
materials. The stems of the boughs were tightly tied 
to the handle and the broom was ready for use. But 
then, as now, l)rooms were not used exclusively for 
sweeping floors. When those women had partially 
recovered from their recent upheaval, they instinctively 
seized the brooms that stood in the corners and made a 
sudden and resolute attack upon our future deacon, who, 
deeming "'discretion the better part of valor" made a 
hasty retreat into the shadows of the forest. Now the 
laugh was fairly turned, illustrating the old proverb that 
' 'he laughs best who laughs last. ' ' 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 57 



Lincolntown in 1804 

So far as is known only two families established homes 
in the township in 1804. Isaac Wheeler, Esq., then 
recently married, conniienced housekeeping in the log- 
cabin he had built two years earlier near the site of the 
present Free Baptist meeting house. Later in the same 
season he built a comfortable frame house on the site of 
the house afterwards owned by the late William B. 
Foss. 

James McClure having purchased Edward Sargent's 
interest in lot three, range five, moved his family into a 
cabin that stood near the site of the present house of 
Samuel O. Davis. Peter Chase, who made a beginning 
on lot seven, range nine, two years earlier, cleared a piece 
of land in 1804, raised a crop and built a house. Moses 
Smith bought Thomas Finson's interest in lot six, range 
nine, in 1804, and made preparation for a future home. 
William Godwin came to the township again this year 
and enlarged the opening begun the preceding year. 

James Holbrook, a brother-in-law of Isaac AVheeler, 
purchased the westerly part of lot eight, range five, of 
Mr. Godw in and felled an opening there. Years later 
this lot passed into the hands of Benjamin Garland, who 
lived there several years. 

Amos Gordon of Hopkinton, N. H., made his first 
visit to Lincolntown in June, 1804, and purchased of 
Joseph Garland a part of lot nine, range ten, paying 
four dollars an acre for it. This was a large price for 
land at that time, but it occupied an eligible site — was 
of excellent quality and situated in the part of the town- 
ship that was attracting more emigrants than any other 
at that time. Amos Gordon was the grandfather of our 
well-known citizens, Horace H., James P. and Albert 



58 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

G. Gordon. Mr. Gordon performed this journey on 
horseback by the way of Kennebec to Ripley, where he 
had acquaintances, and thence to Lincolntown. After 
having selected and purchased the land of his future 
home he returned to New Hampshire to prepare for a 
change of residence. In September of the same year he 
revisited the township, cleared land and built a log house 
for the reception of his family the following spring. 

About the time he started on his second visit to the 
township, which was on horseback, five men of his 
acquaintance went to Massachusetts to take passage in 
a sailing vessel for the same destination. These were 
his son, Moses Gordon, Jeremiah Flanders, Sampson 
Silver, Caleb Cun-ier of Hopkinton, N. H., and Edward 
Fifield of Ware of the same state. Arriving at New- 
buryport the}' were much disappointed at not finding the 
vessel in which they had engaged a passage. Waiting 
several days they became impatient of the delay and 
took passage on a rude fishing-smack that had just dis- 
charged a cargo of wood and was about to start on the 
return voyage to the Penobscot. They took on board 
with them a pair of oxen and an ox-wagon belonging to 
Moses Gordon, a horse owned by Mr. Fifield, supplies 
for themselves and tools for their work. 

These men started on their journe}' for the double 
purpose of inspecting the lands of the township and of 
assisting Amos Gordon in building his house and pre- 
paring land for crops of the following spring. With 
the exception of Mr. Currier they all became residents 
of the township a few years later. 



HISTORY OK GAR LAN J), MAINE". 59 

In Peril of Shipwreck 

Weighing anchor, two fruitless attempts were made 
to get out of the harbor. The third attempt was suc- 
cessful. The vessel had scarceh' got out to sea before 
these men discovered to their dismay that they were in 
an unseaworthy vessel, commanded by a drunken captain 
and manned by an incompetent crew. A violent storm 
soon arose, intensifying their anxiety. After hours of 
weary watching and hard work at the pumps by turns, 
the vessel entered Townsend harbor. Here they found 
several vessels that had sought shelter from the fury of 
the storm, among which was a vessel bound to Frank- 
fort. Not desirous of continuing their acquaintance 
with the captain and crew with whom they first sailed, 
they transferred their effects to the Frankfort vessel and 
took passage in her. Arriving safely at Frankfort in 
due time the oxen, horses and ox-wagon were landed. 
Mr. Fifield proceeded directly to the township and 
arranged with Joseph Garland and John Grant, who 
now owned the mill built two years earlier, to send a 
pair of oxen each to help the incoming emigrants along. 
The supplies and tools were transferred to the boat 
belonging to the vessel and under direction of the mate, 
Messrs. Flanders, Silver and Currier brought them safely 
to Bangor. 



From Frankfort to the Township 

The oxen, as soon as they were in condition to begin 
their overland journey, were hitched to the wagon and 
driven to Bangor by Moses Gordon. Here the tools and 



60 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

supplies were transferred from the boat to the wagon. 
A Mr. Hasey of Levant, who was in Bangor at the time 
with an ox-team, assisted Mr. Gordon to haul his load 
to the elevated land away from the river. The party 
passed the night at the Campbell place in Bangor. The 
next morning Mr. Campbell helped them to the north 
line of Bangor with his team, where they met Mr, 
Fifield with Joseph Garland's oxen. The team now 
moved slowly forward, crossing the clayey bed of the 
unbridged Kenduskeag at the foot of a long declivity, 
now known as the Jameson Hill, without accident. 

The party reached Levant, now Kenduskeag, at night- 
fall, where they tarried until morning with Major Moses 
Hodsdon. From this point to Lincoln town, a distance 
of fourteen miles, a sled road had been bushed out to 
what is now known as West Corinth, thence to the Simon 
Prescott place in the northwest corner of New Ohio 
(Corinth), thence to the mill in Lincolntown (Garland). 
The old county road from Garland to Bangor, estalj- 
lished about a dozen years later, followed very nearly the 
route of the sled road which has been described. Our 
party of emigrants took an early breakfast and an early 
start from the hospitable home of Major Hodsdon with 
the determination to reach their destination before 
indulging in another night's sleep. They had fourteen 
miles to travel over a way which no wheeled carriage had 
ever passed, but they had a strong, although slow mov- 
ing team. They had, also, three or four stalwart, reso- 
lute men, armed with axes and handspikes, to precede 
the team and widen the way for tlie passage of the 
wagon. Three miles on their way the}^ met Landeras 
Grant from Lincolntown with another yoke of oxen to 
aid in hauling the load. Their progress was slow and 
night overtook them four miles short of their objective 
point. It was now raining and very dark, but they 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 61 

moved on without serious interruption until they reached 
the swamp about one mile south of the present villaoe 
of Garland. Here the wheels sunk into the mud to the 
hubs and it was so dark that the axemen were unable to 
see the obstacles that were in the way. Fortunately the 
way was now wide enough to admit of the passage of 
the wagon if the numerous sharp angles could be 
avoided, Landeras Grant was the man for the occa- 
sion. He was familiar with every part of the way and 
knew every angle — seemed to know it instinctively — 
and could indicate it as well in the darkness of night as 
in the light of day. With Landeras to pilot them they 
were sure to get safely through. He therefore took 
charge of the expedition, and obeying his commands, the 
teamsters "hawed and geed" and floundered through 
the swamp. The party was now near the end of its 
journey and an hour later it was comfortably quartered 
in John Grant's camp near the mill in Lincolntown. 
Before retiring to rest the members of the party gave to 
the mirey swamp which had so seriously retarded their 
progress the name of "The Lake," which it retained 
many years. In 1814, the town of Garland voted to 
lay out a road from "The Lake, so called, to Exeter 
line." 

After a brief rest the men of this party repaired to 
lot nine, range ten, the site of the present home of D. 
B. McComb, and commenced building a cabin for the 
reception, in the following spring, of Amos Gordon's 
family. At the completion of this job a piece of land 
was cleared for raising a crop the following year. The 
men then repaired to lot eleven, range three, the site of 
the present home of Joel W. Otis. This lot and lot 
number ten in the same range had been purchased by 
Edward Fifield. On lot number eleven a piece of trees 
had been felled and the ground burned over. When 



62 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

or by whom the opening had been made tradition does 
not inform us. Being remote from other beginnings, it 
probably had been made without attracting the attention 
of other settlers and quietly abandoned. But the 
question as to who had made this beginning did not 
trouble Mr. Fifield. His own title being satisfactory, 
his immediate purpose was to clear the land for a crop 
the following year, which by the help of his companions 
was soon accomplished. Late in autumn the Gordons, 
Mr. Fifield and their companions returned to New 
Hampshire to prepare for the renewal of their efforts to 
wrest homes from the unwilling wilderness. 



Early Births in the Township 

It has been said that children are among the earliest 
productions of a new colony. Whether this is true as 
a general proposition or not, it was true of the settle- 
ment at Lincoln town as facts will show. There is a 
tradition that in the year 1803, the second year of the 
settlement, a son was added to the household of John 
and Agnes Grant Knight. If the fact is in harmony 
with the tradition, this was the first birth in the new 
township. There are records to show that in 1804, the 
third year of the settlement, there were four births in the 
township. On the 24th of January, 1804, there was 
born to Miriam Chase, wife of John M. Chase, a daugh- 
ter, Polly Chase. To the family of Joseph and 
Zeruiah Garland, there was the addition of a daughter, 
Zeruiah Garland, born February 3, 1804. To the 
family of Justus and Miriam Harriman there was the 
addition of a son, Manoali Harriman, born May 14th, 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE BS' 

1804, and to the family of Isaac and Betsey Murray 
AVheeler, there was the addition of a son, Reuben 
Wheeler, born September 20th, 1804. These records 
were copied from famil}' records and entered upon the 
records of the town after its incorporation in 1811. 



Lincolntown in 1805 

A resident of any railroad village in the state of New- 
Hampshire might, in the year of grace, 1868, have risen 
at a convenient hour in the morning, sipped his cup of 
coffee, read the morning news leisurely and stepped 
aboard the cars, valise in hand, and at the end of a jour- 
ney that had been monotonously comfortable, have 
found himself at night enjoying the hospitality of 
friends in the pleasant town of Garland. 



A Striking Contrast 

The convenience, dispatch and comfort of journeying 
now are in strange contrast with the discomfort and 
hardships of traveling at the opening of the present 
century. At the opening of the year 1805, there were 
living in Hopkinton, N. H., three families who had 
determined to leave the homes of their birth, the friends 
of their youth, and the associations of their earlier life 
and establish new homes in a remote township of eastern 
Maine. These were the families of Amos Gordon, 
including himself, his wife, several sons and four daugh- 



64 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

ters, whose names were Polly, Betsey, Nancy and Miriam ; 
John Chandler and family, consisting of himself, his wife 
and several children, among whom was our late and well 
remembered citizen, James J. Chandler, then a boy of 
seven years; Moses Gordon and his wife and a daughter 
of fourteen months. The families were accompanied by 
Jeremiah Flanders and Sampson Silver, who afterwards 
became citizens of the township. The latter was a 
brother of Moses Gordon's wife. The company of emi- 
grants embraced men and women in the vigor of life, 
boys and girls and children of tender age. Early in 
February, their preparations having been completed, 
they bade adieu to relatives and friends whom they might 
never again see, and taking passage upon open sleds they 
committed themselves to a sea of snow of uncommon 
depth even for an old-fashioned New England winter. 
The journey was made with horse teams. They were 
obliged to take with them supplies both for the journey 
and for immediate use at the journey's end, and such 
household goods as were necessary to meet the simple 
requirements of pioneer life. 

They had scarcely started on their journey when they 
encountered a storm, which was the first of a succession 
of storms that assailed them almost every day until they 
reached the end. There was an unlimited expanse of 
deep snow on every side of them and furious clouds of 
snow, driven by fiei'ce winds, above them. The several 
teams, though traveling as near each other as was con- 
sistent with convenience and safety, were sometimes 
hidden from each other through almost the entire day in 
"the tumultuous privacy of storm." There was, how- 
ever, one mitigating circumstance. Much of the latter 
part of their route led them through dense forests that 
shielded them somewhat from the violence of the storms. 
But their progress was toilsome and tedious. Much of 



HISTORY OK <;aKI,ANT), MA INK f)5 

the country through which they passed was sparsely set- 
tled. There were but few public houses on the latter 
part of their route, but tlie hospitality of the scattered 
families was limited only by their ability. When this 
party of emigrants reached the town of Harmony, they 
were tendered the use of tlu; house and barn of Mi-. 
Leighton, who. with his worthy wife, administered to 
their wants and comfort to the full extent of their 
ability. Mrs. Leighton had, a few months earlier, pre- 
sented her husband \\ith twin children, who. disturbed 
by some of the ills of childhood, cried vociferously 
through a large part of the night. The mother walked 
the room with them, carrying each by tiu'ii. endea\())- 
ing to soothe them by singing that grand okl tune. 
Old Hundred. It was a satisfaction to know that reared 
by such a mother, under the inspiration of such music, 
they became substantial citizens of an intelligent com- 
munity. 

The snow had reached such depth when the party 
arrived at Harmon}' that a detention of several days 
seemed inevitable. 'i^he sleds were unloaded and the 
men started with their teams with the intention ()f 
breaking their way to the end of their route. When 
they had reached the next township, now Ripley, they 
were much elated to find that, in anticipation of their 
coming, the settlers of I^incolntown had broken the way 
through the snow to that point as an expression of theii- 
satisfaction at the prospect of so large an accession to 
their numbers. 

Keturning to Harmony the party reloaded their sletls 
and renewed their journey. At nightfall tliey found 
themselves within the limits of the present town of 
Dexter, where they passed the night in an old camp. 
The night of the next day, February 22. 1805. found 
them at the end of their journey. I'hey had taken 



66 HISTOKY OF GARLAND, MA INF, 

twenty-one days to perform a journey of about two 
hundred miles. The fast sailing steamers of the present 
day would make their trips across the Atlantic Ocean 
and return in an equal period of time. 

Amos and Moses Gordon, ■ with their families, went 
directly to the log house that had been built the preced- 
ing autumn, where they quickly started a fire with fuel 
that had been prepared and left in the house. 

When ready to cook their first meal Mr. Gordon, 
assuming a mysterious air, went to a barrel that at the 
close of the previous season's operations had been left 
partly filled with pork, intending to surprise the hungry 
members of his household with a generous piece of that 
article. The surprise was complete — but Mr. Gordon 
was the individual surprised. In the interval between 
autumn and the time of the arrival of the family some 
of the original dwellers of the "forest primeval" had 
appropriated the meat. 

John Chandler and family spent the first night in 
Lincolntown with the family of Joseph Garland. After- 
wards they were quartered a few weeks with the family 
of Justus Harriman. 



Burned Out 

The Gordon and Chandler families had experienced 
severe hardships during their recent journey to Lincoln- 
town and hardships were still in store for them. They 
were yet to be buft'eted by forces that seemed to chal- 
lenge their right to a foothold in the new township. 
They had been assailed by violent storms through weary 
days while on their way to it. Now that they had 



HISTORY OF GAUI-ANU, MAINE 67 

safely reached it a more severe trial awaited some of 
their numbers. While in the township in the autmtin 
of 1804, Amos Gordon purchased a. piece of land just 
within the limits of the present town of Dexter, about 
two miles away from his own land, for his son Moses 
Gordon. A small opening- had been made upon it, and 
a cabin of logs with a bark roof had been built. 

This would shelter his family until better accommo- 
dations could be provided. In the month of March, 
after they had recovered from the fatigue of their recent 
journey and a hard crust had formed upon the surface 
of the deep snow, Moses Gordon, assisted by other mem- 
bers of the family, embraced the opportunity to haul 
his furniture, household goods and other needful things 
to his cabin on a hand-sled. Having finished this work, 
he repaired to the little cabin early one bright morning 
and arranged his scanty supply of furniture so as to give 
the one solitary apartment as cheerful an aspect as possi- 
ble. After building a fire in the stone fire-place and 
guarding it, as he believed, from danger of accident, he 
returned to get Mrs. Gordon to introduce her to the 
new home. The latter hastily preparing herself, they 
started on their morning's walk. The pure, bracing air 
of the early spring morning imparted buoyancy to their 
movements and inspired courage for the encounter with 
the hardships immediately before them, and inspired 
hopes of the "better time coming.'" A brisk walk car- 
ried them to the little opening which two hours earlier 
had contained all their worldh^ goods, when, to their 
utter dismay, the site of their little cabin presented 
nothing but a heap of blackened and smouldering ruins. 
Their household goods, their wearing apparel, their 
scanty supply of food, all the articles for use and con- 
venience that had been made by Mrs. Gordon's own 
hands — all these things had disappeared in a brief hour. 



68 



HISTOUY OF GARLAND. MAINE 



This sudden change of prospect was too much even for 
the cheerful, the hopel'ul, the couraj^eous Mrs. Gordon. 
She fainted and fel.l ufion the icy crust that covered the 
snow. 

Wlien consciousness returned, she found herself sitting 
upon an old chest that had been left outside the cabin 
because it was worthless. It was tlie only thing' that 
had escaped the fire. A sickening smoke was curling up 
from the blackened ruins, as if in mockery of her grief. 
Mr. and Mrs. Gordon retvu'ned weai'ily to Amos Gordon's 
to remain until other arrangements for housekeeping 
could })e made. 

During the spring of 1805. Mr. Gordon selected, and 
afterwards purchased lot te)i, range five. The year 
following he felled six acres of trees on the lot and built 
a house on the site now occupied by the Murdock build- 
ings. The boards which covered the house were hauled 
from Elkinstown (Dexter) with an ox-team. It required 
two days to go to that place and- return Mitii a load, 
although the distance was only five miles. 

Early the following autiniin he moved his family into 
the house. The boards with which the house was cov- 
ered, shrunk by the heat of the fire in the large stone fii-e- 
place, leaving openings for the winds to entei* unbidden. 
The members of the family would sometimes awaken in 
the morning to find that wind and snow had provided an 
extra co\ering for their beds. 'Jlius it \\ as with many 
of the houses of the earlier settlers. 



A Spacious Sleepin.o Apartment 

Jolm Chandler and his family, who accompanied the 
Gordon families on their journey to Lincc)lntown. spent 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 69 

the night in the township under the hospitable roof of 
Joseph Garland. The next day they found quarters in 
the cabin of Justus Harriman, where they remained until 
the first of May. Mr. Chandler had purchased of 
Arnold Murray his interest in lot eight, range nine, 
which joined Mr. Harriman's lot. Mr. Murray had 
felled an opening on this lot three years earlier and had 
raised one or two crops there. Henry Merrill, who mar- 
ried a granddaughter of John Chandler, now owns and 
occupies the same lot. 

Mr. Harriman's little cabin afforded close quarters 
for his own family. There was scarcely more than 
standing room for two families. Lodgings for the 
Chandler family must be sought elsewhere. Necessity 
often enforces compliance with accommodations that 
accord neither with choice nor convenience. In this case 
it compelled the Chandler family to resort to the barn for 
lodgings. Beds were, therefore, placed in the barn and 
comfortably furnished. The inconvenience in the case 
was in getting to and from the barn through the snow and 
water of the warm spring days. Repairing to the barn 
for the night without adequate protection for the feet, 
the hosiery of the family became saturated with water. 
Cold nights followed warm days and the footwear would 
freeze. Fruitful in expedients, Mrs. Chandler wrung 
the water from the hosiery and placing it between the 
feather and straw beds it came out in the morning in 
good condition for use. 



The Surprise 

Soon after the arrival of the Chandler family in the 
township Mr. Chandler commenced preparations to build 



70 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

a house. Before the coming of May he had a frame up, 
ready to cover; also a supply of boards and nails. 
Keeping house at Mr. Harriman's, where the room was 
so limited, had become irksome to both families. Mrs. 
Chandler cherished a strong desire for a home of her 
own at the earliest possible date. One day, early in 
May, Mr. Chandler was about to start on a business 
trip to Bangor on horseback. He would be absent three 
days. As he rode from the dooryard Mrs. Chandler 
mysteriously hinted that on his return he would find 
something to surprise him. He had no sooner disap- 
peared in the forest than she summoned their hired man, 
Sampson Silver, to her assistance, directing him to equip 
himself with the necessary tools and go to the house 
frame which was a short distance away and nail to frame 
and rafters enough boards to shield herself and family 
from wind and rain. Mr. Silver, entering into the spirit 
of the joke, had accomplished the work he was directed 
to do by nightfall of the first da}'. At the close of the 
second day, which opened auspiciously for the accom- 
plishment of their plans, beds, cooking utensils and 
other things necessary to a rude form of housekeeping 
had been moved in and the family had taken possession 
of their new quarters. 

But now to their dismay ominous clouds were rapidly 
gathering. About midnight while the members of this 
little family might have been indulging in pleasant 
dreams, inspired by the sentiment that "be it ever so 
humble there is no place like home," the I'ain suddenly 
came, and, to use a modern phrase, "the storm center" 
seemed to rest directly over the devoted household. 
With the ready command of expedients characteristic 
of the early settlers, Mrs. Chandler promptly summoned 
the hired man, and together they rolled beds and bed- 
ding into the smallest possible compass and covered them 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 71 

with boards which were at hand, thus saving them from 
getting wet. The morning of the third day dawned 
pleasantly and it was spent in obliterating the traces of 
the recent rain and preparations for the reception of Mr. 
Chandler on his return from Bangor. 

The mind of the latter as he approached his home 
was sharply exercised over the solution of the character 
of the surprise that awaited his return. Emerging from 
the shadows of the forest just as night was shutting over 
the scene, into the little opening which he had often 
looked upon as the site of his future residence, he met 
his wife who smilingly invited him to the comforts of 
their new home. This was the surprise so mysteriously 
suggested as he rode from the Harriman cabin three 
days earlier. Mr. Chandler now continued the work on 
the new house which Mrs. Chandler had so heroically 
begun, until it reached the condition of a comfortable 
dwelling. 



A Discovery 

The difficulty of procuring seed for crops constituted 
one form of hardship for the early settlers of a new 
township. They were often compelled to travel many 
miles on foot for this purpose and bear their purchases 
home on their shoulders. 

Mr. Chandler was, however, more fortunate in supply- 
ing himself with seed for his first crop of potatoes. He 
found a plat that had been planted with potatoes the 
preceding year by Mr. Murray, who had left the crop in 
the ground through the winter, which, covered by the 
deep snow, had not been frozen. From this plat he dug 



72 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

eight bushels of the tubers that were in good condition 
for seed. 

From seed thus obtained many crops were raised in 
this and subsequent years by Mr. Chandler and his 
neighbors. This discovery was more to the Chandlers 
than the acquisition of a thousand gold dollars to a 
Vanderbilt of the present time. 

Arnold Murray, who had made a beginning on lot 
eight, range nine, in 1802 and had sold his interest in 
the lot to John Chandler in 1805, made another begin- 
ning on lot eleven, range nine, in 1805, where he lived 
for several years. This lot afterwards passed into the 
hands of a Mr. Besse and has since been known as the 
Besse place, although it has passed through the hands of 
several different owners since. 



Another Fire in 1805 

An ever present menace to the inhabitants of a new 
township is the liability to the loss of their homes and 
property by fire. The flues that conducted the smoke 
from the fierce fires of the large stone fire-places of their 
humble cabins were often built of sticks and clay. Such 
chimneys would sometimes burn and the debris falling 
into the capacious fire-place below, the cabin would 
escape destruction by the fiery agent. But the more 
immediate danger from fire arose from the necessity of 
clearing land for crops by burning the forest growth. 
In times of drought the fire which had been set to clear 
the lands for the season's crops would be driven by 
adverse winds towards the buildings of the settlers and 
their homes would suddenly disappear. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 73 

Josiah Bartlett, who had made the first beginning in 
the township, was the subject of a misfortune of this 
kind in 1805, He had built a small but comfortable 
house and barn, and with characteristic prudence, had 
laid in supplies for use through the summer and autumn, 
and seed for his crops. He had also provided himself 
with an abundance of clothing. In his barn were a yoke 
of oxen, a horse and his farming tools. One day while 
at work at a considerable distance from the buildings they 
took fire from some burning piles near them. His 
sister, afterwards a Mrs. Chase of Epping, N. H., who 
was keeping house for him, was absent on a visit at 
William Sargent's, who lived where James Rideout now 
resides. 

When he saw that his buildings were on fire he 
hastened to them, reaching them just in time to save one 
feather-bed. The horse and one ox were burned to 
death in the barn. The other ox died the next day. 
In relating these occurrences years later to children and 
friends Mr. Bartlett used to say that as he could not 
save the buildings by his unaided efforts, and knowing 
that there was no human being near enough to respond 
to cries for assistance, he carried the feather-bed he had 
snatched from the flames to a safe distance from the 
burning ruins and lying upon it, he calmly watched the 
progress of the destructive elements and congratulated 
himself that the calamity was no worse. 

Mr. Bartlett lost a second barn a few years later and 
with it some valuable stock. 



74 HISTORY OF GARLAXD, MAINE 

First Beginning in the Southwest Part of the 
Township 

The coming of Edward Fifield into the township, in 
company with the Gordon and Chandler famihes in the 
autumn of 1804, to clear land whereon to establish a 
home has been noted. This was the first beginning in 
the southwest part of the township. Mr. Fifield came 
from the tov.n of Ware, N. H. Early in the spring of 
1805 he returned to the township to build'a house and 
make preparations for raising crops. He was accom- 
panied by several sons and Mr. John Hayes, a carpenter, 
who took charge of building the house which was located 
on the site of the buildings upon the Joel W. Otis place. 
After clearing several acres for a crop of wheat, the seed, 
which had been purchased of Cornelius Coolidge of 
Elkinstown (Dexter), must be brought to the place 
where it was to be sown, and in the absence of any 
other mode of conveyance, it was borne in bags upon 
the shoulders of Mr. Fifield and his stahvart sons. As 
there was no trail leading directly to the Coolidge place, 
the Fifields followed a circuitous route wdiich had been 
marked for the convenience of others. This route led 
them across the outlet of Pleasant Pond to the Murdock 
place, thence easterly to the brook a little to the east of 
Maple Grove Cemetery, thence northwesterly to the 
Dearborn place, thence westerly on the line of the 
present center road to the Coolidge place. The distance 
traveled to the Coolidge place and back must have been 
twelve miles. 

The field they had cleared embraced several acres and 
the}' were obliged to make several trips to get the 
required quantity of seed. At the close of the spring 
farming Mr. Fifield returned to New Hampshire for his 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 75 

family, which before the close of June, was safely estab- 
lished in the new home. 



Coming of Mechanics 

Nearly all the immigrants to the township during the 
first two or three years were farmers, who could build 
rude cabins and perform other necessary work without 
the aid of skilled labor. With prudent foresight they 
brought with them wearing apparel and other articles of 
prime necessity to meet immediate wants. But as time 
passed and numbers increased and wants multiplied, 
there was a demand for mechanics, and mechanics came. 
Two or three of this useful class of citizens came at an 
early date. These were followed by others in 1805. In 
those earlier da,ys of the township the mechanic could 
not depend upon constant emplojment at his trade. It 
was, therefore, the common practice for this class of 
men to provide themselves with land so that they might 
resort to the source that supplies, directly or indirectly, 
universal humanity with food. 

John Hayes came into the township in 1805 to do 
the carpentry upon the house of Edward Fifield, whose 
daughter he subsequently married. He purchased lot 
ten in range two and in 1806 built a house upon it, 
where he lived until his death. The place where he lived 
is now owned and occupied by S. M. Paul. 

In March, 1805, the first shoemaker made his appear- 
ance in the township in the person of Enoch Jackman, 
who emigrated from Salisbury, Mass. Mr. Jackman 
established his family upon lot eight, range six, where 
Landeras Grant had made a beginning two years earlier. 



76 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

The place was afterwards known as the Henry Calef 
place. No family lives upon it at the present time. 
Mr. Jackman was a faithful and accommodating work- 
man and was regarded as a valuable acquisition to the 
township. Like other men of his trade he went from 
house to house for the families who furnished the stock, 
carrying his tools with him. He charged seventy-five 
cents for his services per day and the making of two 
pairs of shoes was a day's work. He was of a kindly 
and social disposition and his narrations of the experi- 
ences of life in the new township gathered from the lips 
of his patrons, ranging from the ludicrous to the 
pathetic, were listened to with great interest. More- 
over the click of his hammer upon the old-fashioned 
lap-stone was prophetic of comfort in the wintry days 
coming. While on a visit to the township previous to 
his immigration he humorously boasted that he would 
bring with him a shoemaker, a schoolmaster and a 
schoolmistress. The promised shoemaker was embraced 
in his own personality. Two of his daughters taught 
school in the old schoolhouse that stood in the corner 
nearly opposite the present schoolhouse in district number 
eight. Both were women of great physical strength, and 
it was a venturesome youth who dared invoke their dis- 
pleasure. The promised schoolmaster never appeared. 
Mr. Jackman had been favored with a good education for 
the times and possessed a remarkable memoiy. Tradition 
says of him that after listening to a sermon, although 
appearing to have been asleep during its delivery, he 
would repeat nearly the whole of it without apparent 
effort. Mr. Jackman lived on the Calef place only a 
few years. His second residence in the township was on 
lot nine, range ten, now owned by Henr}' Merrill. 

In the spring of 1805, Nathan Merrill, a carpenter 
and spinning-wheel maker, moved into the township and 



HISTORY OF (iARLAND, MAINE 77 

established a home on the easterly part of lot six, range 
two, opposite the present residence of Glenn Morgan. 

To the present generation it may seem almost incredi- 
ble that during the opening years of the present century, 
and within the memory of many now living, the yarn 
that entered into the clothing of the inhabitants of the 
Province of Maine, whether woolen, cotton or flaxen, 
was spun by hand on the old-fashioned spinning-wheel. 
Spinning was a widely diffused industry and the monoto- 
nous hum of the spinning-wheel was heard in every well- 
ordered household. The manufacturer of a spinning- 
wheel, was therefore, regarded as a useful citizen. 

John Knight, who two 3' ears earlier had married into 
the Grant family, located and built upon the westerly 
part of lot six, range two, in 1805. The site of his 
house is marked by the old cellar that may still be seen 
a short distance east of the present residence of Albert 
Grinnell. 

Enoch Clough, for many years a well-known citizen of 
Garland, came to the township in 1805. 

Simon French also came the same j^ear. 



A Large Crop of Corn 

Wm. Godwin, who had purchased one hundred acres 
of land of David A. Gove and had felled an opening on 
it in 1804, enlarged it this year and raised a large crop 
of corn. The large crops of corn and wheat that were 
early realized attracted many persons to the township. 

The site of his buildings was opposite Maple Grove 
Cemetery. 



78 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 



The First Strawberry Festival 

Peter Chase had made a beginning on lot seven, range 
nine in 1802. A year later he cleared land and sowed 
grass seed on it. In 1804, that most delicious berr}-, 
the strawberry, appeared. In 1805 they were quite 
abundant. 

In the meantime Mr. Chase had built a small house. 
His nearest neighbor, Moses Smith, had made a begin- 
ning on the adjoining lot. Chase and Smith were 
young men without families and lived together in the 
house of the former. When the berries had ripened 
those men conceived the plan of calling the scattered 
inhabitants together to share with them a feast of ber- 
ries. In response to the invitation the people of the 
entire township assembled at the strawberry field at the 
appointed time. At the end of an hour spent in pick- 
ing berries they were invited to the house, where to 
their surprise and gratification, they found a table cov- 
ered with substantial food which had been provided by 
their bachelor friends. With the addition of strawber- 
ries, and the cream that had been brought by some of 
the company, and tea sweetened with maple sugal", 
which the women pronounced delicious, the entertain- 
ment was without doubt, enjoyed as keenly as the more 
elaborate entertainments of the present day. At the 
close, a brief time was spent in the expression of friendly 
interest and good wishes. The company then separated 
and soon disappearing in the shadows of the forest, 
eagerly threaded their way to their scattered homes, 
carrying with them pleasant memories to cheer them in 
the days that followed. 

At the close of the season Chase and Smith left the 
township not to return. It must have been an occasion 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 79 

of keen regret to the scattered families that an acquaint- 
ance so pleasantly began should have terminated so 
abruptly. 



The First School 

The school was an essential factor in the progress of 
New England civilization. It sprang from New Eng- 
land ideas as naturally as weeds from the fire-swept lands 
of the new settlement. The necessary conditions were 
few and simple. A half dozen children of school age, liv- 
ing within a mile of a common center, a person qualified 
to instruct in the simplest rudiments of English literature 
whose services were available, books of the most ele- 
mentary character and, in warm weather, a spare corner 
in some house or barn — these M'ere all the conditions 
necessary to the opening of a school. The products of 
the soil constituted the currency of the inhabitants and 
teachers were usually satisfied to receive these in pay- 
ment for their services. 

After the coming into the township of the Gordon 
and Chandler families in 1805, the necessary conditions 
were fulfilled and a school was opened in Joseph 
Garland's barn, expenses being paid by the parents of 
the children. Miss Nancy Gordon, afterwards the wife 
of William Godwin, was the teacher, and she had the 
honor of teaching the first school in the present town of 
Garland. This unpretentious school embraced eight 
bright boys and girls, some of whom, in turn, became 
teachers of note. 



80 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 



A Disappointment 

The early settlers of the township had regarded the 
existence of a saw-mill therein with great satisfaction, 
but subsequent experience forced the conviction upon 
them that it would be of but little advantage to them. 
The more sagacious inhabitants desired to have such 
timber sawed as was necessar}"^ to the construction of 
comparatively small and rude habitations, reserving the 
larger and more valuable growth of pine, of which there 
were considerable quantities, for subsequent use or sale. 
They expected to pay bills for sawing by turning over to 
the mill owners a share of the lumber sawed, but such 
expectations failed of realization. 

John Grant from Berwick, Maine, had purchased the 
mill in 1803. Early in the spring of that year he 
appeared in the township with several grown up sons 
and a six ox team with the necessary equipment for the 
lumbering business. His plans were not at all in accord 
with the expectations of the inhabitants of the town- 
ship. There was a good growth of pine on the mill 
lot, as well as on other lots in the vicinity of the mill 
site. In the language of one of the early settlers 
"there was upon the borders of the stream and meadow 
below the mill an abundance of pine as handsome as 
ever grew from Penobscot soil." With a team of his 
own equipped for service and a crew from his own family 
to man it, and with a heavy growth of pine of his own 
in close proximit}'^ to the mill site and large quantities 
that could be purchased at a price mei'el}^ nominal, he 
could stock his mill and supply the inhabitants of neigh- 
boring towns, and thereby establish a business that would 
yield him a fortune. The growing settlement of Blais- 
delltown (Exeter), New Ohio (Corinth), and New 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 81 

Charleston (Charleston), extended to the Grants consid- 
erable patronage, but not enough to make their business 
successful. One great hindrance to success was the lack 
of money. The early settlers were scantily supplied 
with this vital element of business enterprise. Another 
hindrance was the total absence of the spirit of accom- 
modation in their dealings with their neighbors. One 
of these hauled some spruce logs to the mill with the 
purpose of having them sawed into boards. The logs 
were of medium size but not entirely innocent of knots. 
The Grant who had charge of the mill gruffly refused to 
saw them, giving as the reason that the knots were 
harder than spikes and that it would take two such logs 
to make a decent slab. 

Repelled by such rebuffs the inhabitants of the north- 
ern and western parts of Lincolntown obtained boards 
to cover their buildings at Elkinstown (Dexter). 
Among these were Amos and Moses Gordon, Justus 
Harriman and John Chandler. The refusal of the 
Grants to saw spruce and hemlock was followed by the 
necessity of using pine lumber for the most common 
purposes. Many of the buildings in this and neighbor- 
ing townships were covered with the best quality of pine 
boards, while hemlock lumber, which was equally as good 
for that purpose, was burned upon the ground where it 
grew, to make room for the crops because the mill owners 
refused to saw it. After draining the section of the 
township immediately around the mill site, the mill 
property passed into other hands about the year 1810. 



bx HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

The Township in 1806 

Accessions to the township in 1806 were not numer- 
ous, but events occurred that were of importance to the 
future of the settlement. Jeremiah Flanders, who had 
visited the township in 1804 and had spent the summer 
of 1805 therein in the service of Amos Gordon, pur- 
chased and made a beginning for himself in 1806 or 
1807 on lot eleven, range six, the site of the present 
home of Edwin Preble. 

Sampson Silver, who had made his first visit to the 
township in 1804 and had worked for John Chandler the 
following year, made a beginning on the westerly part of 
lot ten, range five, the site of the present home of the 
late Albert G. Gordon. 

Enoch Clough purchased the westerly part of lot 
nine, range five, and felled ten acres of trees on it. The 
place of this beginning is now owned b}' Ernest Rollins. 
He subsequently exchanged this place with Thomas S. 
Tyler for lot ten, range seven. 

Philip Greeley came into the township about the year 
1806 and bought lot ten, range nine, of James Garland, 
built a log house and made some improvements on it. 
At the time of his purchase there was an opening on it 
of ten acres that had been made by Mr. Garland in 
1802. The westerly part of this lot is now the home 
of George Arnold, and Charles Carr resides on the east- 
erly part. Mr. Greeley emigrated from Salisbury, N. 
H., through the influence of the Garland family with 
which he was connected b}^ marriage. He soon sold this 
lot to William Dustin, a brother-in-law of John 
Chandler, and made a beginning on lot nine, range 
eight, and subsequently purchased, and lived upon it 
until his death. This place was afterwards the home of 



HISTORY OF CiARI-AND, MAINE 83 

the late Artemas Barton, a well-known citizen of Dex- 
ter, now owned by his son, 11. M. Barton, 

John Trefethen settled on lot eleven, range two, about 
1806. William and George W. Wyman afterwards 
lived upon this lot for several years. It is now the resi- 
dence of John S. Hayden. 

Joseph Saunders, an emigrant from New Gloucester, 
Maine, who had felled an opening on lot four, range 
nine, in 1802, moved his family into the township in 
1806. He had a large famih^ of children, among 
whom was a daughter who had become the wife of 
Deacon Robert Seward. The lot where he made his 
beginning became the site, in turn, of the residence of 
Nathaniel Emerson and Micah C. Emerson. It is now 
owned by John E. Hamilton. 

Joshus Silver made his appearance in the township in 
1806. He did not, however, become immediately a 
resident here, having lived in Elkinstown (Dexter) and 
Charleston for several j-ears before establishing a resi- 
dence in Lincolntown. He finally established a resi- 
dence on lot eleven, range seven, where he lived for 
several years. Mr. Silver was a man of some eccentrici- 
ties. B}' virtue of being the seventh son of a seventh 
son, he claimed power over disease. 



The First Tanner 

During the first half of the present century the tan- 
ning business was a widely diffused industry. Nearly 
every town in the vicinity of the present town of Gar- 
land was favored with the existence of a tannery, where 
the hides of animals slaughtered for food could be con- 



84 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

verted into leather, thus supplying an ever existing 
necessity. From the middle of the century the snnall 
tanneries disappeared. This was due partly to the 
growing scarcity of the bark supply and partly to the 
increasing tendency of absorption of small manufactur- 
ing industries by large establishments and corporations, 
whose command of money enabled them to appropriate 
improved modern methods and expensive machinery. 

A few years subsequent to the War of the Rebellion 
the small tanneries had nearly all disappeared. 

Lincolntown's first tanner, who was also a shoemaker, 
was Andrew Griffin. Mr. Griffin purchased ten acres of 
land of Joseph Garland, located on the brook between 
the present residences of David Dearborn and Barton 
McComb. Here he built a small framed house for his 
family in 1806 and a shop for his business. A small 
level plat still shows the locality of his tan-vats, which 
were just outside his shop. A rude covering protected 
his bark and apparatus for grinding it, from rain. His 
machinery for grinding bark was of the most primitive 
character. It consisted of a circular platform of plank, 
ten or twelve feet in diameter, through the center of 
which an upright post was set firmly in the earth. The 
section of the post above the platform was about three 
feet in height. A circular piece of granite six feet in 
diameter and ten or twelve inches in thickness was placed 
in a vertical position on the outer edge of the platform. 
A wooden shaft was passed through the center of the 
granite and firmly fastened, one end of which was 
attached to the top of the post in the center of the 
platform by a revolving joint. A horse, harnessed to 
the opposite end of the shaft, traveled around the plat- 
form. The bark was broken into small pieces and 
thrown under the rolling stone and thus reduced to a 
condition suitable for use. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 85 

The grinding of a single cord of bark was a good 
day's work. It was a tedious method, as indeed were all 
the processes of manufacturing leather in those days, 
but they met the requirements of the times. 



The First Physician 

Attendance upon the sick in the new settlements of 
eastern Maine at the opening of the present century 
was a long remove from holiday amusement. In the 
absence of roads the physician in his visits to the scat- 
tered families of his own and neighboring townships was 
obliged to follow uncertain way-marks along angular 
and circuitous routes through dense forests — to cross 
unbridged streams — climb over prostrate trees — to make 
circuit of bogs and swamps and to scale hills and 
mountains. If darkness obscured his pathway while 
yet in the forest remote from human habitations, his 
only alternative was to brace himself for hours of soli- 
tude and nervous apprehension while listening to the 
stealthy tread of prowling beasts (oftener imaginary 
rather than real) and the dismal hooting of long visaged 
owls. The companionship of a faithful horse or dog, if 
he was fortunate enough to possess one, would divert 
the sluggish hours of much of their dreariness, but the 
humble followers of ^sculapius were then oftener 
destitute of both than otherwise. 

In the year 1806 the first physician of the township, 
in the person of Dr. Joseph Pratt, made his appearance. 
He was accompanied by a brother. The two brothers 
found a temporary home in the family of Joseph 
Garland. The destitution of a physician in the town- 



86 HISTORY OF GAELAND, MAINE 

ship before the coming of Dr. Pratt had been the occa- 
sion of inconvenience and anxiety. His coming was 
hailed with joy and he subsequently proved himself 
worthy of confidence, both as a physician and citizen. 
His practice extended to other townships. 

An incident of his early practice will illustrate his 
fidelity to his profession as well as the hardships which 
the physician was occasionally called to endure. A Mr. 
Brockway of Amestown (Sangerville) desired the ser- 
vices of a physician in his family and Dr. Pratt was 
summoned. It was midwinter — the weather was cold 
and the snow deep. As a horse could not be used, a 
more primitive method of travel was resorted to. The 
distance to Amestown in a direct course was ten miles, but 
the route followed required more than twenty miles of 
travel. Daunted neither by distance, depth of snow nor 
stress of weather, Dr. Pratt fastened on his snowshoes 
and started in response to the summons. His line of 
travel led him to Elkinstown (Dexter) thence to his 
objective point. He arrived in Amestown in due time 
and accomplished the purpose of his visit, but when 
ready to start on his journey homeward, a violent storm 
of snow, the first of a succession of storms, began and 
detained him from day to day. When he reached home 
he found by consulting the calendar that he had been 
absent twenty-one days. 



The First Visit of a Minister 

Religious meetings in the township in the first few 
years of its history were neither of frequent nor regular 
occurrence. Many of its residents having been relig- 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINP: 87 

iously educated, keenly felt their destitution of religious 
privileges. The Sabbath, which they had been accus- 
tomed to regard as a day for rest and religious improve- 
ment, now gave no sign of its presence save by the 
partial cessation of the ordinary business of the week 
and the interchange of social visits between the scat- 
tered families. When, therefore, after a lapse of four 
years, they were favored with occasional visits of some 
devoted minister, they hailed his presence with mani- 
festations of joy and heard him gladly. To them it 
was prophetic of better days. The glad news of his 
coming was spread from house to house and the Sabbath 
found the scattered people with one accord in one place. 
In their eagerness to hear the words of the living 
preacher they forgot their denominational preferences, if 
indeed they cherished any. 

The first minister to visit the township was the Rev. 
Samuel Sewall, one of the numerous family of ministers 
of that name. Mr. Sewall's first visit to the township 
was in 1806. He preached his first sermon in the house 
of Joseph Garland, where the people gathered and lis- 
tened with great interest. He afterwards made several 
visits to the township. 



First Winter School 

The first summer school in the township, taught by 
Miss Nancy Gordon, in Joseph Garland's barn, has been 
noticed. The following winter William Mitchell, then 
residing in Elkinstown (Dexter), taught school in Joseph 
Garland's house, which occupied the site of the present 
residence of David Dearborn. The school embraced 



88 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

scholars of all ages from all parts of the township. 
Several persons who had passed the limit of school age 
attended it. It was a school of respectable numbers. 
Mr. Mitchell had been a student in the old academy at 
Gilmantown, N. H. He was a man of more than ordi- 
nary intelligence for the times. He was original in 
methods, abrupt in manners and stern in discipline. 
Many of his scholars carried very distinct recollections 
of his words and ways through life. Our late venerable 
citizen, James J. Chandler, was one of his scholars. 

As Mr. Mitchell was, in later years, a resident of 
Garland and was laid to rest in one of its cemeteries, 
some of his early experiences illustrative of pioneer life 
in eastern Maine at the beginning of the present century 
may appropriately be noticed. 

He early emigrated from Sanbornton, N. H., to 
Athens, Maine. In the autumn of 1802, he selected a 
piece of land in Elkinstown (Dexter) and built a small 
cabin of logs thereon. The site of the little cabin was 
a short distance east of the present residence of A. L. 
Barton and near the westerly limit of Lincolntown. 
The brook, upon the margin of which the cabin stood, 
is still known as the Mitchell brook. Early in March, 
1803, he employed a neighbor with a two-horse team to 
move his family and such household goods as would be 
needed for immediate use to his cabin in Elkinstown, a 
distance of about eighteen miles. Up to the morning 
of their departure from Athens the weather had been 
cold and the deep snow had been hard enough to bear up 
a two-horse team. Unfortunately, the weather had 
become much warmer and the horses slumped badly. 
Articles of furniture were thrown off by the wayside 
from time to time to lighten the load. They pressed 
resolutely onward until they reached the site of the 
present town of Ripley where night overtook them. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 89 

Too much fatigued to continue the unequal struggle 
they determined to cease further efforts until strength 
and courage should be renewed by a night's rest. There 
was no attractive hotel to offer them entertainment nor 
even a settler's cabin to invite them to its friendly 
shelter. A little shelter of poles and evergreen boughs 
was hastily built. A bed of boughs covered with 
blankets they had with them afforded a comfortable rest- 
ing place for the night. The following morning opened 
brightly but bore with it unmistakable indications of 
continued warm weather. A frugal breakfast was hastily 
prepared and eaten. The family was making prepara- 
tions to continue its journey, when, to their utter dis- 
may, the teamster informed them that it was useless to 
attempt farther progress with team, and that he should 
turn it towards home. Neither entreaty nor expostu- 
lation availed to change his determination. Throwing 
off what remained of his load he abruptly left them in a 
limitless sea of snow. The family embraced the father, 
mother, an infant son in his mother's arms and five 
daughters ranging from four to fourteen years of age. 
This was not promising material for a forward move- 
ment, but Mr. Mitchell was a man of resolute courage, 
and in this respect Mrs. Mitchell was not a whit inferior 
to her husband. A forward movement was promptly 
begun. The three older girls were strong and resolute, 
needing but little assistance save occasionally to rescue a 
shoe imbedded in the deep, damp snow, from which the 
foot had been drawn in the attempt to regain the sur- 
face. Mrs. Mitchell was fully equal to the task of bearing 
forward her infant son. The transportation of the two 
younger girls remained to be provided for. Mr. Mitchell 
must carry them, but could not carry them both through 
the deep snow at once. He was a man of expedients as 
well as courage and quickly solved the difficulty. The 



90 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

family was now ready for a forward movement which was 
executed as follows : Leaving Mrs. Mitchell, the baby 
and the youngest daughter upon the bed of boughs, 
which had been their resting place during the night, he 
took the next younger girl in his arms and accompanied 
by the older girls, he moved forward a half mile, where 
he left them as the first installment of the party. 
Returning to the starting point, he conducted Mrs. 
Mitchell with the baby in her arms to the place where 
the first installment had been left, carrying the youngest 
girl in his arms. The regularity and success of the first 
advance inspii'ed something akin to military enthusiasm. 
Subsequent movements of the same character brought 
them to the residence of John Tucker in Elkinstown, 
which was on the hill a little west of the present village 
of Dexter. In getting his family forward five miles Mr. 
Mitchell had travelled fifteen miles in marching and 
counter-marching. It was near night when the tired 
family reached the residence of Mr. Tucker, where they 
remained three days and were treated with the hospitality 
characteristic of the times. During this time the 
weather became colder, and a hard crust foi-ming on the 
surface of the snow, Mr. Mitchell collected the goods 
which had been thrown from the load on the first day and 
hauled them to Ripley on a hand-sled. On the fourth 
day they moved into their own log-cabin by the brook 
which had been built the preceding autumn. Our 
former much esteemed resident, the late Mrs. N. P. 
Smith, was one of the girls that participated in the 
hardships of that remarkable journey from Athens to 
Elkinstown in 1803. 

The robust personality of the late Mordecai Mitchell, 
an esteemed and prominent citizen of Dover, was evolved 
from the babe that Mrs. Mitchell carried in her arms from 
Ripley to Dexter. Mrs. Smith kindly communicated to 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 91 

the writer various particulars relating to their pioneer life 
in the wilds of Elkinstown. Her father's family was the 
fifth to take up a residence in that township. They 
lived in a log-cabin within which was the traditional 
stone fire-place. This was made to do service both in 
warming and cooking. Their nearest neighbors were 
the families of Seba French of Elkinstown, who moved 
into the township a little later than her father, and 
Joseph Garland of Lincolntown. These families were 
bound together by the closest ties of friendship — a 
friendship based upon common experiences of hardship, 
loneliness and similarity of disposition and religious 
faith. 

The Mitchell and Garland families lived four miles 
apart, but this was no obstacle to a frequent interchange 
of visits by Mrs. Mitchell and Mrs. Garland. A horse- 
back ride, guided by spotted lines, brought them often 
together, and in the absence of a horse the distance 
was made on foot. Mrs. Smith furnished an interesting 
account of their mode of living while at Elkinstown 
and of the privations and hardships they endured. Mr. 
Mitchell spent his winters in teaching, during which 
Mrs. Mitchell was left in the lonely cabin with the care 
of her large family of young children. On these occa- 
sions she exhibited a degree of courage and fortitude 
seldom surpassed. If her husband could be useful by 
giving instruction to the children of the scattered settle- 
ments and at the same time, earn something for the sup- 
port of the family in its straitened circumstances, she 
was not the woman to interpose objections. Teachers 
were then paid for their services in corn, wheat and rye 
at prices fixed by custom. The food supply of the 
family was of the most simple character. They, in 
common with their neighbors, kept a cow, a pig and a 
few fowls. For a year or two they procured their bread 



y» HTSTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

supply from Cornville. When they began to raise crops 
they got their milling done at Cornville, eighteen miles 
away. Their cooking was done by an open fire. Among 
their luxuries were roasted potatoes in milk, hominy (a 
coarse meal from new corn) with a maple syrup accom- 
paniment — samp (corn in the milk cut from the cob and 
eaten in milk). Their everj^day bill of fare was — for 
breakfast — ^corn and rye bread, or milk porridge and 
hasty pudding. Their suppers were much like their 
breakfasts. Their dinners were of pork and potatoes, 
the latter being the largest factor of the meal. Wheat 
bread was seldom seen. At barn raisings a few years 
later, pork and potatoes, pork and beans, brown bread, 
Indian puddings and pumpkin pies were the appropriate 
articles of food. 

Their beverages were water, milk, crust coffee and a 
drink made of a root found in the forest. They very 
seldom had the satisfaction of inhaling the odor of the 
real tea which women so highly prize. The substitutes 
for tea were sage, balm and raspberry leaves. 

It was customary for the women to assist in the 
lighter farm work. They cultiva.ted the flax plant, 
which entered largely into the clothing of both men and 
women. They sowed the seed, and cared for the plant 
until it came to maturity. Mrs. Mitchell was accus- 
tomed to spin and weave its long, strong fibers into 
shirting and send it to Bangor for sale. She also pur- 
chased cotton in Bangor, spun and wove it into cloth 
and returned it to the same place where it was sold at 
50 cents per yard. The travel to Bangor was on horseback. 
The amusement of the children was simple and health- 
ful. They basked in the sunlight that straggled through 
the tree tops. They watched with never tiring interest 
the nimble movements of the squirrel, now running with 
surprising celerity through the tree tops — now disap- 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 93 

pearing in the foliage and directly chattering defiance 
from some distant point. They listened to the "joyous 
music" of the little brook as it ran past their humble 
cabin over the stones and shallows. The little brook 
trout were a great attraction to them as they darted 
from one hiding place to another, and if perchance they 
caught one with a pin hook it was a brilliant achieve- 
ment, for hath not the poet said, 

"Oh what are the honors men perish to win 
To the first little shiner I caught with a pin?" 

■ In autumn, like their squirrel neighbors, they gath- 
ered beechnuts to store for the winter. They "lived 
close to Nature's heart" and their days and weeks were 
replete with health and contentment. 

Mrs. Mitchell was a women of strong religious pro- 
clivities. Upon the advent of the family of Seba 
French she found a kindred nature in the person of Mrs. 
French. After a brief acquaintance, the two women 
selected a spot midway between the two houses where 
they met at stated times for conference and prayer. 
This was, perhaps, the first prayer-meeting instituted in 
the present town of Dexter. 

In the year 1809 Mr. Mitchell removed his family 
to township number three in the sixth range of town- 
ships north of the Waldo Patent, now Dover. He set- 
tled upon the lot which afterwards became the home- 
stead of his son, Mordecai Mitchell. He had felled and 
burned over ten acres of trees the previous summer. 
His first work after reaching the new township was the 
building of a cabin for the shelter of his family. This 
accomplished he commenced clearing the burned piece 
for the crops of the season. During his first day's work 
he inflicted a wound upon one of his feet with his axe 
which incapacitated him for further labor through the 



94 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

spring. But his wife and daughters with characteristic 
resolution, aided by a hired man, prosecuted the work 
that had been so suddenly arrested and raised sixty 
bushels of wheat and other crops that entered into the 
food supply of the family. 

When the Mitchell family had become established at 
Dover Mrs. Mitchell, at the solicitation of a prominent 
citizen of the vicinity, held religious services on the Sab- 
bath. Mr. Mitchell, not being professionally a religious 
man, his wife conducted the devotional exercises and he 
led the singing and read a sermon or religious literature. 
These were the first religious meetings held in what are 
now the villages of Dover and Foxcroft. 

Mrs. N. P. Smith, the daughter of Mr. Mitchell, to 
whom allusion has been made, married a Mr. Bradbury, 
a business man of Piscataquis County, Avho died early, 
leaving his wife with the care of one daughter and two 
sons. 

A few years later Mrs. Bradbury married Deacon 
Stephen Smith of Garland, where she immediately took 
up her residence. The children of this marriage were 
four daughters — Matilda, Caroline, Henrietta and 
Hannah, who died in early childhood. Mrs. Smith's 
earlier years in Garland were not entirely devoid of pri- 
vation. Lewis Bradbury, the younger son of her first 
husband, went to the Pacific coast about the year 1850, 
where in course of time he became wealthy, and to his 
credit it may be said, he remembered his mother and 
supplied her abundantly with money. From this time 
onward she had no occasion for anxiety about the future 
support of herself and family. 

Her daughter Caroline went to California in 1859 
with a lady friend to seek employment as a teacher. A 
few years later she married and became the mistress of a 
home of her own. Deacon Smith died in Garland, 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 96 

July 15, 1866. In 1873, Mrs. Smith, with her daugh- 
ters, Matilda and Henrietta, moved to California where 
they enjoyed the comforts of a modern home provided 
by her son, Lewis Bradbury. Here, in the neighborhood 
of her older children, and blessed by the constant pres- 
ence and tender care of her younger daughters, her later 
years were years of ease and comfort. She had also the 
satisfaction of knowing that her daughters were passing 
lives of much usefulness. While living in Garland, Mrs. 
Smith Avas an active member of the Congregational 
church. On a beautiful Sabbath morning, near the close 
of her residence in Garland, the churchgoers were sur- 
prised and delighted at the presence upon the table in 
front of the pulpit of an attractive silver communion 
service, her parting gift to the people she loved so well. 
She also left a sum of money in the hands of her revered 
pastor. Rev. P. B. Thayer, to be distributed to the 
poorer members of the church in case of sickness or 
want. 

Mrs. Smith's father, Wilham Mitchell, Garland's 
first schoolmaster, died in Garland, May 23, 1842, at 
the age of 72 years. Her mother died in Garland 
December 19, 1853, at the age of 84. 



Early Marriages 

The first marriage celebrated in the township is 
believed to have been that of John Knight to Agnes 
Grant in 1803. In 1804, Isaac Wheeler, Esq., was 
united in marriage with Betsey Murray of Rutland, 
Mass., a daughter of Alexander Murray. In 1805, 
Josiah Bartlett, afterwards known as Elder Bartlett, 



96 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

was married to Sarah Kimball, daughter of Andrew 
Kimball of Belgrade, Maine. 

In 1806, William Godwin married Nancy Gordon of 
Lincoln town. The marriage of John Hayes to Martha 
Fifield, both of Garland, occurred in 1806. Isaac 
Wheeler, Esq., commenced housekeeping soon after his 
marriage in a log-cabin that occupied the site next to 
the Free Baptist church. He soon afterwards built a 
house on the site now occupied by the heirs of the late 
William B. Foss. 

It was in 1807 that Isaac Wheeler, Esq., and his wife 
made their first visit to their old homes in Rutland, 
Mass. They took their two children with them on horse- 
back to Bangor and thence to Boston by water. One of 
these children afterwards became the wife of Charles P. 
Chandler of Foxcroft, Maine ; a lawyer of much promi- 
nence in Piscataquis County. 

On their return to Lincolntown, they were accompa- 
nied by Elisabeth Murray, a sister of Mrs. Wheeler, 
who soon after became the wife of John S. Haskell. 
From this marriage sprang a large family of children 
who, in after years, became prominent citizens of Gar- 
land. 

The marriage of William Sargent to Lucretia Kimball 
occurred in 1807. Mr. Sargent lived on the place now 
occupied by James Rideout. 



The Township in 1807 

But few events of importance to the township occurred 
in 1807. Men who had made beginnings at an earlier 
date were enlarging the area of their cleared lands, erect- 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 97 

ing buildings and making improvements. John S. 
Haskell, one of the most prominent of the early set- 
tlers, built a small house and barn this year, and was 
married and commenced housekeeping. 

Jeremiah Flanders from Hopkinton, N. H., whose 
visits to the township in 1804 and 1805 have been 
noted, purchased lot eleven, range six, this year and 
made a beginning on it. He built a log camp close by 
the brook near where William Jones now lives and occu- 
pied it while preparing for a future home. 

William Dustin moved into the township this year, 
and lived in the log house upon the lot he had purchased 
a year earlier of Philip Greeley. 



The First Blacksmith 

Several of the most useful trades had representatives 
in the township as early as 1805, but it was still desti- 
tute of a blacksmith. The year 1807 contributed a 
representative of this useful trade to the township in the 
person of Andrew Kimball of Belgrade, Maine. Mr. 
Kimball had at this time three daughters here — Mrs. 
James McCluer, Mrs. Josiah Bartlett and Mrs. William 
Sargent. These were the attractions that lured him 
thither. The settlers of a township can get along with- 
out gold and silver but not without iron. The latter 
is, in some form, a necessary factor of civilization, and 
the worker of iron is esteemed as one of the most useful 
of citizens. The coming of Mr. Kimball was, therefore, 
hailed with great satisfaction, but his usefulness was 
greatly abridged by the want of tools and stock. 

The scant supply of necessary materials, and the rude 



98 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

character of the tools and fixtures used by the black- 
smiths, at the opening of the present century, were not 
unfrequentl}^ the occasion for merriment. A man of 
this trade came into a neighboring township to set up in 
business. He made a crib of the requisite size of logs 
and filled it with sand for a forge, put his bellows in 
position, adjusted his anvil to the top of a stump, and 
with no suggestion of a covering save the moving tree- 
tops, announced himself ready for business. 

Shortly after, a stranger who was riding through the 
township on horseback, lost a shoe from his horse. 
Meeting a resident, he inquired for a blacksmith shop. 
The instant reph^ was — "Why bless you. Sir, you are 
in a blacksmith shop now, but it's three miles to the 
anvil." Then, with the utmost gravity, he directed the 
stranger to the distant anvil. 

Mr. Kimball's shop was of smaller dimensions. It 
was a rude structure of slabs, located on the brow of the 
village saw-mill. Here he shod horses and oxen, mended 
plows and chains and did numerous jobs of making and 
repairing that came within the range of his facilities for 
doing. 

A little later, he built a larger and more convenient 
shop on the little island just below the site of the grist- 
mill owned by Edward Washburn. Like others of his 
trade, Mr. Kimball was often obliged to resort to make- 
shifts to meet the wants of his patrons. Some of these 
would hardly accord with ideas of the professional farrier 
of the present time. On one occasion he had business 
in Bangor, and must go on foot or horseback. By dint 
of effort he procured a shoeless horse, but a horse with- 
out shoes might prove a dangerous horse to ride. 
Although Mr. Kimball had forged many a horseshoe, 
successful work of this kind required iron, and of that 
he had none. In a pile of rubbish in a corner he found 



HISTORY OK GAULAND, MAINK 99 

a set of ox-shoes that had been thrown aside as worth- 
less. Shaping these to meet the exigency, he nailed two 
to each foot of the horse. Thus equipped, he made his 
trip to Bangor, accomplished his business and reached 
home in due time without accident. 

Previous to the coming of Mr. Kimball, the inhabi- 
tants of Lincolntown were obliged to go to Simon 
Prescott's shop in New Ohio (Corinth) to get their iron 
work done. This involved inconvenience, loss of time 
and increased expense. Mr. Prescott's price for shoeing 
a horse was two dollars. 



The Township in 1808 

In the year 1808, only one family so far as is now- 
known, established a residence in the township. This was 
the family of Abner Bond, who made a beginning on lot 
seven, range eight. 

Our well -remembered citizen, Aaron Hill of Bangor, 
followed Mr. Bond on the same lot where he built and 
lived for many years. The farm is now owned by Davis 
and Walker brothers. The date of the transfer of this 
place from Mr. Bond to Mr. Hill was 1823. The latter 
married and began housekeeping in 1826. 

The year 1808 marks the date of the birth of several 
children who afterwards became prominent citizens of 
the town of Garland. Among these were the late 
Daniel M. Haskell and Horace Gordon. 

Joseph Treadwell, who had built the first framed 
house in the township for John Tyler, and had occupied 
it with Mr. Tyler for several years, built a house for 
himself on lot four, range seven, in 1808, where he 
lived for many years. His twelve-years-old son, the late 



100 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

John Treadwell, carried the heavy brown ash braces that 
were used in the frame, from the spot where they were 
hewn, to the site of the house, upon his shoulder. John 
Treadwell succeeded to the ownership of this farm. It 
is now owned and occupied by Joseph Treadwell, the 
grandson of the original resident. The house is one of 
the oldest now standing. This is one of the few 
instances where the original homestead remains in the 
line of family descent. 



The Township in 1809 

The population of the township was increased in 1809 
by the incoming of several families Avho settled in differ- 
ent parts of it. Asa Burnham from Nottingham, N. 
H., settled on lot one, range eight. It is not probable 
that he remained long in the township as his name does 
not appear on the first voting list prepared three years 
later. He became well known in this section as a 
devoted and esteemed minister of the Freewill Baptist 
denomination, preaching at various places, including 
Exeter and Sebec, 

A little later, Robert Seward, afterwards known as 
Deacon Robert Seward, purchased this lot and lived on 
it until the year 1860, when he sold it and moved to 
Bangor. While living upon this lot he erected build- 
ings, added to, enlarged and improved them from time 
to time as convenience required, and his means allowed. 
He was also diligent in the improvement of his farm, 
which became at length one of the most productive in 
the town. His choice of location has sometimes been 
criticised somewhat sharply because it was a half mile 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 101 

away from any established road. Two strangers 
appeared in town at a recent date, who were in pursuit 
of farms. They were directed to the Seward farm. A 
little later they were seen and asked how they liked the 
Seward farm. They replied that they "liked the farm 
well but they did not care to live in a British Province." 
But when Deacon Seward made his selection, there 
seemed a strong probability that a county road from 
Bangor into the Piscataquis region would pass across his 
farm, and the location of his buildings was determined 
by the expectation that this probability would become 
fact. The Seward farm was purchased by Clark 
Richardson in 1860, where he lived until his death in 
1910. 

Jeremiah Flanders from Hopkinton, N. H., having 
purchased lot eleven, range six, in 1807, and having 
subsequently cleared land and built a house upon it, 
married a wife in 1809 and commenced housekeeping. 
He occupied this house until about the year 1822, when 
he built a two story house which was among the first two 
story buildings of the town. 

Mr. Flanders improved his farm from year to year 
until it became a productive one. It is now occupied 
by Edwin Preble. 

Mrs. Flanders was accustomed to repair to a log camp, 
which her husband had built two years earlier, to do 
her weekly washing. The camp occupied a site at the 
foot of the slope close by the brook east of the house 
where Edwin Preble now lives. On one occasion a down- 
pour of rain through the capacious chimney of sticks 
and mortar put out the fire. A neighbor's boy, who 
was making a friendly call, was sent a half mile to get 
fire to rekindle with. That was before the invention of 
friction matches. It was no uncommon thing to send to 
a neighbor's house for coals of fire to kindle anew. 



102 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

Samuel Mansfield purchased a part of lot eight, in 
range eight, in 1809, and became a resident of the town- 
ship the same year, where he lived until his death, which 
occurred July 3d, 1856. 

Hollis Mansfield, a son of Samuel Mansfield, lived 
with his father several years, but his death occurred 
before that of his father. He died in 1847. 

The old homestead remains in the line of the family 
descent, being owned by Henry Mansfield, a grandson of 
Samuel, who still occupies it. 

Andrew Griffin, the first tanner and shoemaker of the 
township, became dissatisfied with his prospects and sold 
his property rights and business to Simeon Morgan of 
Elkinstown in 1809, and moved to Levant. Mr. Morgan 
soon moved into the house vacated by Mr. Griffin. Mr. 
Griffin was the first resident to leave the township after 
having established a home in it. 



A Notable Barn 

In the year 1809, John Chandler built a barn on the 
site of his original buildings, eighty feet long and forty- 
four feet wide. This was only eight years after the ring 
of the settler's axe had first been heard in the township, 
and seven years from the harvesting of the first crop. 
Up to this time the inhabitants had as a rule provided 
themselves with some cheap substitute for a barn. 

This barn, towering from an elevated site in the 
Chandler opening, like the school boy's exclamation 
point, excited wonder and surprise in the minds of many. 
Others were filled with admiration of the courage that 
carried its conception to a successful result, and of the 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 103 

faith that led to the expectation that the barn would 
ever be filled with crops. 

In the construction of the barn, Seba French, after- 
wards known as Judge French of Dexter, was the master 
carpenter. The nails used in its construction were 
wrought by the hand of a common blacksmith. Some 
of them have been preserved as curious relics of the 
morning of the present century. 



A More Notable Barn 

John Chandler and Edward Fifield emigrated to the 
township in 1805 — the foi'mer from Hopkinton, N. H., 
and the latter from Ware. They had known each 
other in New Hampshire. 

There appears to have been a spirit of rivalry between 
the two men. It was generally known in the township 
that each intended to build a barn of unusual size. 
Both were uncommunicative about dimensions. When 
Mr. Fifield was questioned about the size of his pro- 
spective barn, his uniform reply was — "I shall wait until 
Chandler builds and then build a larger barn than his." 

In 1809, Mr. Chandler took the initiative and built 
so large that he believed no sane man would attempt to 
outdo him, but he misjudged. Mr. Fifield was firm in 
his determination to surpass his neighbors in the number 
and size of his buildings as well as in the extent of his 
fields and crops. He was still uncommunicative about 
the size of his intended barn, but assured inquirers that 
it would be larger than Chandler's, and that the frame 
would contain three hundred and sixty-five braces to cor- 
respond to the number of days in the year. 



104 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

Soon after, Mr. Fifield gratified the curiosity of his 
neighbors with the sight of a veritable barn one hundred 
and twenty feet long by forty-four feet wide. Like 
the Chandler barn it occupied an elevated site, and when, 
years later, the surrounding forests were cleared away, 
it was seen for long distances. It was claimed to be the 
largest barn in the State at the date of its construction. 
Seba French of Dexter was the master builder. 

The raising of the building was an occasion long 
remembered. The country for miles around was scoured 
for assistance. The flow of the favorite New England 
beverage was commensurate with the greatness of the 
building. There are vague traditionary rumors that the 
men did not all get home with whole suits. As an inci- 
dent of the occasion no use was found for the 365th 
brace, a discovery that was followed by a boisterous 
laugh from the jubilant crowd and a demand for an extra 
treat. 



A Remarkable Journey in 1809 

Isaac Wheeler, Esq., and his brother-in-law, John S. 
Haskell, planned a visit, with their wives, to relatives in 
Rutland, Mass., in the autumn of 1809. Their com- 
pany included one little boy of tender age for each 
couple. There were at that time neither roads nor car- 
riages in the township or vicinity. The only practicable 
alternative was to make the journey partly on horse- 
back. The pioneers of eastern Maine did not allow 
trifling obstacles to deter them from the execution of 
cherished plans. Each couple took its one small boy on- 
to the horse with them, making a company of six to be 



HISTOEY OF GARLAND, MAINE 105 

carried on two horses. Thus mounted, they jogged 
leisurely along to Winthrop, a few miles beyond Augusta. 
Here they hired a two-seated carriage to which they 
hitched the two horses, and performed the remainder of 
their journey in luxuriant ease. 

The return journey was accomplished in the same 
manner. The two boys grew to the stature of men. 
One of them, Reuben Wheeler, died in early manhood, 
esteemed by all who were favored with his acquaintance. 
The other, Daniel Murray Haskell, lived to a good 
old age, a citizen whose personal qualities were worthy 
of imitation by the generations that followed him. 



The First Death in the Township 

On the 20th day of November, 1809, the death of 
Mrs. Polly Fifield, wife of Edward Fifield, occurred. 
This being the first death among the little band of set- 
tlers, it was the occasion of peculiar sadness throughout 
the township. Mrs. Fifield had the faithful services of 
Dr. Peabody of Corinth. The funeral services were con- 
ducted by a clergyman from Corinth. 



The Township in 1810 

Sampson Silver came into the township first in 1804 
in the employment of Amos Gordon. In 1805, he came 
again and worked for John Chandler. During this year, 
he purchased of Amos Gordon a part of lot ten, range 
five, felled two acres of trees and erected buildings. In 



106 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

1810 he married and commenced housekeeping. Mr. 
Silver's old homestead was later the home of Albert G. 
and Parker Gordon. 

Isaac Copeland, who had purchased the westerly part 
of lot eleven, range five, of John S. Haskell, and had 
felled an opening on it in 1809, built a house in 1810 
and moved his family into it in the autumn of the latter 
year. He had previously lived in Elkinstown. His 
place was afterwards owned and occupied for many years 
by the late Stephen D. Jennings, and passed from him 
into the hands of his son, Mark C. Jennings. 

Cutteon Flanders, a brother of Jeremiah Flanders, 
emigrated from Hopkinton, N. H., in 1810 and settled 
on the lot afterwards owned by Asa H. Sawtelle, and 
now owned by John Hayden. 

Ezekiel Straw emigrated to the township from New 
Hampshire in 1810, and purchased lot seven, range 
seven. Two years later, having made a clearing and 
built a house, he married and commenced housekeeping. 
Mr. Straw's old homestead is now owned and occupied 
by Lionel Lincoln. 

The Rev. John Sawyer made a beginning on lot six, 
range ten, in 1810, and resided there for several years. 
The old Sawyer homestead was subsequently owned and 
occupied in turn by Edward Fifield and I. A. Palmer. 
It is now owned and occupied by D. F. Patten. 

Mr. Sawyer's first visit to the township was in 1809, 
when he bore with him a commission from the Maine 
Missionary Society for a few weeks' service. 

This society had been organized only a single year at 
that time. Mr. Sawyer was among its earliest missiona- 
ries. His labors here created a deep religious interest 
and resulted in the organization of a Congregational 
church, the third organized within the present limits of 
Penobscot County — the church at Dixmont being the 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 107 

first, that of Brewer the second and Garland the third. 
The early history of the Garland Congregational church, 
and a biographical sketch of Mr. Sawyer, will appear in 
another connection. 



A Sorrowful Event 

In the year 1810, a deeply sorrowful event occurred in 
the township. Joseph Saunders and his brother Oliver 
were felling some trees for timber on the center road 
running east, about a half mile east of the center of the 
township. A tall spruce tree which they were chopping 
was arrested by a smaller tree as it began to move slowly 
towards the ground. Joseph stepped forward to weaken 
the smaller tree by a few blows of the axe, so that it 
might yield to the pressure of the larger tree and let it 
fall to the ground, but the larger tree unexpectedly 
became detached from the smaller and fell rapidly. 
Oliver, seeing his brother's peril, warned him of his 
danger, but it was too late. The tree in its downward 
movement cioished one of his legs. Becoming very 
faint, he begged for water. His brother replied, 
"There is nothing to bring it in;" when he instantly 
exclaimed, "Bring it in your shoe!" As soon as assist- 
ance could be procured he was removed to his home. 
His neighbors believed that his life could be saved 
by the amputation of his limb, but his family had a 
superstitious dread of the dismemberment of the human 
body by the knife and saw, and he soon passed away. 

He was a young man, and his death having been the 
first that had occurred by accident, was a severe shock 
to the inhabitants of the township. At the time of his 



108 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

death, he had recently made a profession of religion 
under the ministrations of the Rev. John Sawyer. Mr. 
Saunders was a brother of Mrs. Robert Seward, and an 
uncle of Mrs. Charles E. Merriam. 



The First Grist- Mill 

A saw-mill had been built in the township in 1802, 
the year from which its settlement dates. The prompt 
action of the proprietors in providing a saw-mill encour- 
aged emigration to the township. A few years later 
a set of stones had been placed in the basement of the 
saw-mill for grinding corn and rye, but the patrons of 
this very imperfect machinery complained of an undue 
percentage of sawdust in the meal thus obtained, and the 
inhabitants of the township were anxious for a mill that 
would give them the material for purer food. 

The Grant family, who had owned and run the saw- 
mill from the beginning, had become involved in debt, 
and were in no condition to confer upon the township 
the boon of a grist-mill. In 1810, the ownership of the 
mill property was transferred to Mr. Sanger, one of the 
proprietors of the township, to satisfy a claim he had on 
it. Mr. Sanger soon sold it to Isaac Wheeler, Esq., 
who in turn sold it to Mr. Church of Clinton, Maine. 
Mr. Church was an enterprising man and a skilled 
mechanic. The following year he built a small but con- 
venient house on the mill brow, west of the site of the 
present village saw-mill, and moved his family into it. 
A depression on the surface of the ground still reveals 
the site of the house. 

Having provided a shelter for his family, he built a 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 109 

grist-mill upon the site of the present grist-mill. From 
a block of granite found near the mill he fitted a run of 
stones with his own hands, and performed nearly all the 
labor involved in the construction of the mill. It was 
accounted a good mill for the times, and was patronized 
by the inhabitants of this and neighboring townships. 

The house built by Mr. Church was occupied by his 
own family as long as he remained in town. It was 
afterwards occupied by Reuben Bartlett, who emigrated 
to Garland from Nottingham, N. H., about the year 
1819, and purchased the mill property. About the year 
1826, he built the more commodious house now owned 
by Fred Osgood, and sold the house built by Mr. Church 
to Samuel Johnson, who moved it to the site now occu- 
pied by the Eugene French house. In 1829, Benjamin 
H. Oak of Exeter purchased this house, and the forty 
acres of land connected with it and moved into it in the 
spring of 1830, where he lived until his death in 1842. 
About the year 1844, it passed into the hands of Rev. 
Leonard Hathaway, who took it down to give place to a 
larger and better house, where he passed the remaining 
years of his earthly life. 



Death of the First Physician 

In March, 1810, Dr. Joseph Pratt, the first physician 
of the township, died at the house of Joseph Garland, 
where he had boarded. 

Dr. Pratt's faithful performance of his professional 
duties, and his ever ready sympathy with the sick and 
suffering, gave him a warm place in the hearts of the 
people. The intelligence of his death spread rapidly 
through the township, carrying grief to every household. 



110 HISTOKY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

Doctors Peabody of Corinth and Skinner of Brewer 
were his attending physicians. The funeral services were 
conducted by the Rev. John Sawyer at the house of 
Joseph Garland. 

His disease was typhoid fever. He was buried near 
the present residence of David W. Dearborn. After the 
Greeley Cemetery was established, he was disinterred and 
buried there. Neither stone nor other monument marks 
his present resting place. His immediate successor was 
Dr. James Parker, who commenced practice here in the 
summer of 1810, and was the second physician of the 
township. 



Questionings 

Why did our fathers emigrate to this barren region 
where frost and snow hold uninterrupted sway for one 
half the year, and the reluctant soil yields its inhabitants 
scanty support as the reward of resolute and unremitting 
toil? Why did they not seek a more productive soil 
under summer skies? These questions are often asked 
by the dwellers of eastern Maine. 

The early settlers of Lincoln township were mainly 
from New Hampshire, Massachusetts and the western 
section of the Province of Maine. These sections had 
been settled many years and the best lands had been 
appropriated. As a rule the families were large in those 
days, and the old homes had become like overstocked 
hives. The grown-up children must seek new homes as 
their fathers and mothers had done in years gone by. 
The industrial occupations outside of agriculture were 
limited in range. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 111 

The manufacturing industries that now allure young 
men and women in large numbers from agricultural pur- 
suits, had no existence then. The Lewistons, Law- 
rences, Lowells and Manchesters, and the hundreds of 
villages where factories line the borders of their streams 
and rivers, and the hum of whose machinery is as 
incessant as the roar of their waterfalls, are creations of 
a later date. Commercial employments, house carpen- 
try, ship building and other mechanical industries, all on 
a limited scale, with the additions of navigation and 
fishing, gave employment to a limited number of people, 
but the great mass of New England laborers were 
obliged to draw their subsistence from the heart of 
Mother Earth. It was therefore natural for young men 
to choose the employment that had given their fathers 
the means of support, and not unfrequently, had made 
them independent. To this class of men, lands that 
were cheap, productive and accessible were the desidera- 
tum. All these conditions could be found in the 
easterly section of the Province of Maine. 

Land could be purchased at low prices, and of its 
productiveness, there was abundant evidence. The 
appearance of the surface soil indicated fertility. One 
enthusiastic prospector from New Hampshire filled his 
tobacco box with dark rich looking loam which, on his 
return home, he exhibited to his friends, declaring that 
it would make good pudding. What disposition he 
made of his tobacco in the meantime tradition does not 
inform us. The character of the forest growth indicated 
strength of soil. More conclusive evidence was found in 
the large crops of wheat, rye and corn that had been 
raised in near at hand townships which had been settled 
at an earlier date. 

Inducements of another character were presented to 
allure settlers. The best statesmanship of Massachu- 



112 HISTOEY OF GARLAND, MAINE v 

setts had been employed to promote the settlement of 
the eastern lands of that state by the adoption of a 
liberal policy. Reservations of land had been made in 
each township by the general court of Massachusetts to 
aid in the support of the institutions, so dear to New 
England people — the school and the church; a policy 
which attracted a good class of emigrants. Other influ- 
ences attracted other classes of emigrants. 

Then, as now, there were men who, being repelled by 
the conventionalities and restraints of society, were car- 
ried on the current of emigration to the outer limits of 
civilization. There were also men who sought border 
life to gratify their propensity for hunting and fishing. 



Was it a Misfortune? 

Such has been the remarkable growth of the western 
states in population and wealth within the last seventy- 
five years, that many a worthy citizen of Maine has 
regarded it as a misfortune that our fathers did not emi- 
grate to the West instead of Maine. At the date of 
the earliest settlements of this section of Maine, very 
little was known of the * 'great west." Ohio, the near- 
est western state, was then an almost unbroken wilderness, 
at a great distance away. The difficulties and hardships 
involved in emigrating to Ohio were an effectual bar to 
emigration to that state, where, in after years, so many 
residents of Maine emigrated to their sorrow. Sensible 
people of the next generation had but little reason to 
regret that they had been born in Maine. If the 
question of choice had related to the relative capacity of 
contributing to the food supply of the world, Maine 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 113 

could not have been a factor in the case. If, on the 
other hand, the question had related to the type of men 
and women who could boast of Maine nativity, its citi- 
zens would not shun the comparison. The best types of 
men and women are not found in the most productive 
sections. 

"In marches of a mighty age, 
Our place is on the van." 

— Mrs. Mace. 

The pure breezes from hill top, mountain and sea con- 
tribute to the physical, mental and moral fibre of her 
citizens. The late Honorable James G. Blaine, who for 
breadth of statesmanship and grasp of detail, has had no 
equal in the United States, was an adopted son of Maine, 
where he lived through the whole of his political life. 
The Honorable Thomas B. Reed, formerly Speaker of 
the National House of Representatives, a position of 
importance next to that of the President of the United 
States, was a native and citizen of Maine. William P. 
Frye, President pro tem of the Senate of the United 
States, who, with his colleague. Honorable Eugene Hale, 
hold the chairmanships of some of the most important 
committees of that august body, are natives of Maine. 
Honorable Nelson Dingley, the able leader of the 
National House of Representatives, was a native of 
Maine. The late Honorable Charles A. Boutelle, the 
able and fearless member of the National House of 
Representatives from the fourth representative district of 
Maine, held the chairmanship of the Naval Committee. 
The late Honorable Melville W. Fuller, also a native of 
Maine, received the appointment as Chief Justice of the 
United States Supreme Court. The Honorable Bartlett 
Tripp, minister to Austria under President Cleveland, 
was born in Maine. The late Honorable Alfred E. 
Buck, at one time minister to Japan, was a Maine man. 



114 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

The distinction of serving as governor of Massachusetts, 
has been accorded to several Maine men. Daniel 
Webster has been credited with saying that, "New 
Hampshire is a good state to emigrate from." It may 
truthfully be said that Maine is a good State to be born 
and reared in. 

Maine is comparatively free from many of the physi- 
cal evils that afflict the West — evils that result from 
adverse atmospheric conditions. Among these are floods, 
which sometimes submerge large areas of territory, 
phenomenal storms of wind, hurricanes and blizzards, 
also cyclones that sweep through tiers of states, destroy- 
ing crops, houses and sometimes whole villages and 
attended by great loss of life. The population of the 
West is largely more heterogeneous than that of Maine. 



Petition for an Act of Incorporation 

The most important event of 1810 was the petition 
for an Act of Incorporation. The township had been 
settled nearly eight years and had steadily grown in 
numbers, and there were now (1810) forty or more fami- 
lies within its limits. It had been favored with an 
encouraging degree of prosperity, and the prospects indi- 
cated continued growth. But its most urgent needs 
could not be provided for until its inhabitants, in an 
organized capacity, were invested with the power of levy- 
ing taxes upon the property of the township. Among 
their immediate wants of a public character, were roads 
and schools. A meeting of the inhabitants of the 
township was called early in 1810 to consider the question 
of the propriety of petitioning the General Court of 



HISTOEY OF GAELAND, MAINE 115 

Massachusetts for an Act of Incorporation. At the 
appointed time, the legal voters assembled at the house 
of Joseph Garland, and organized by choosing a chair- 
man and clerk. It was decided to petition for an Act 
of Incorporation. 

This important point having been decided in the 
affirmative, the question — What shall be the name of the 
prospective town.'' now confronted the citizens. Stand- 
ing upon the stone step, which had been fashioned by 
Nature's hand, and placed in front of Joseph Garland's 
house. Deacon John S. Haskell moved that the word 
"Garland" should be inserted in the petition as indicat- 
ing the choice of the inhabitants of the township in 
regard to name. The motion was heard with great 
satisfaction and carried without opposition. 



What's in a Name? 

The citizens of Garland ought to hold their fathers in 
grateful remembrance for giving to the town so sensible, 
so convenient and appropriate a name as that by which 
it is known. A name may be desirable for what it lacks 
as well as what it contains. Many towns are burdened 
with names through whose accentual windings, changing 
inflections, harsh sounding and unpronounceable syllables 
drag their slow length. What bottles of ink, boxes of 
pens, reams of paper, stores of vocal power, and crimes 
against the rules of orthography and pronunciation are 
saved in a single decade by the use of the simple name 
given to this township when it took on a corporate exist- 
ence. It is a model of convenience and simplicity. It 
is easily spoken and easily written. Its distinct utter- 



116 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

ance indicates its orthography and pronunciation. It is 
scarcely susceptible of being misspelled or mispronounced. 

It is not so inconveniently long nor short as to sug- 
gest scantiness of material, nor does it deceive the trav- 
eller, who is dreamily passing through it, with the idea 
that he is travelling in Greece, France or Italy. 
It has a poetic and musical ring that is suggestive of 
pleasant things. It is also of importance because it is 
invested with historical significance. It perpetuates the 
memory of the heroic family, that of Joseph Garland, 
which left a snug little home in New Hampshire to 
encounter the hardships, privations and perils of pioneer 
life through a long cold winter, while yet there was not 
another family within the township. 

The following incident will show that there was some- 
thing of advantage in the name by which this town is 
known, on at least one occasion. In the year 1823, 
there was living in England a family of laborers, includ- 
ing the father, mother and two sons. They were hard- 
working and respectable people but could see no prospect 
of rising above the conditions which had been the lot of 
their parents and of themselves thus far. 

They had heard of America, of the people who lived 
in their own comfortable homes, of its cheap lands and 
its opportunities. A home of their own filled their 
thoughts by day and dreams by night until they reached 
the decision to emigrate to America. They had been 
compelled to practice a rigid economy in their previous 
lives, but to secure the funds to pay their passage to the 
country they sought, they must turn the screws still 
harder. By reducing their daily expenses to the lowest 
possible figure, they saved money enough to emigrate to 
Belfast, Maine. One of the sons aptly, if not elegantly, 
characterized the money thus saved as "pinch-gut- 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 117 

money," because it was an abi'idgment of their daily 
food. 

At Belfast, the father supported his family by work 
as a day laborer two years, but the purpose of their 
coming to America was to make a home of their own. 
Destitute of money, they sought land where it could be 
purchased cheap on credit. 

The attention of the father had been called to the 
township afterwards known as Bowerbank in Piscataquis 
County. Accompanied by his eldest son, he started on 
a trip for that township. Reaching the town of Sebec, 
and finding that the road running north terminated at 
that place, he decided not to travel any farther in that 
direction. Having heard the town of Dexter favorably 
mentioned, he turned his steps towards that place. He 
had but just passed within the limits of Dexter when the 
name Garland upon a guide-board struck the fancy of 
the son. Pronouncing the name several times, and 
becoming enamored with it, he persuaded his father to 
visit the town with the attractive name before purchas- 
ing elsewhere. 

As a result of the visit, he purchased a part of lot 
six, range six, felled a piece of trees, built a log-cabin, 
into which he moved his family in 1825. The site of 
the cabin was at the center of the town oil the south 
side of the center road running east and west, and nearly 
opposite the present residence of James M. Stone, for- 
merly the home of Joseph True. 

By virtue of the industry and economy to which they 
had been accustomed in the old country, they improved 
their condition from year to year. A few years later 
they were living in a comfortable house with such out 
buildings attached as characterize the home of a well-to- 
do farmer. 

Allured by the thrift of this family, other English 



118 HISTORY OF GAELAND, MAINE 

families emigrated to Garland from time to time, whose 
descendants have taken rank with our most industrious 
and prosperous citizens. This accession of English citi- 
zens may be traced to the attractive name given the town 
by our fathers. 

The family that emigrated to Belfast in 1823, and to 
Garland in 1825, was the family of Deacon James March. 
Deacon March often related to his new neighbors that in 
England after a hastily prepared breakfast, cooked over 
a fire of straw, he and his wife hastened to the harvest 
field, taking with them a small barley loaf, which served 
as food until darkness compelled a cessation from labor. 



A Copy of the Petition for Incorporation 

A copy of the petition for an act of incorporation, 
and of the names of the signers, taken from Massachu- 
setts records, was kindly furnished the writer by Dr. 
John F. Pratt of Chelsea, Mass. The petition, dated 
March 10, 1810, was placed in the hands of Honorable 
James Carr, representative to the General Court of 
Massachusetts from Bangor, who was requested to take 
charge of it. The petition read as follows: 

To the Honourable the Senate and House of Representa- 
tives in General Court Assembled, at Boston, June 
Session, 1810. 

Humbly Sheweth: The subscribers, inhabitants of 
Township No. Three in the Fifth Range of Townships 
North of the Waldo Patent in the County of Hancock, 
that at present there are between two hundred and two 
hundred and fifty souls resident in said Town and near 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 119 

fifty persons liable to pay taxes. That from the first 
settlement of said Township which is nearly eight years 
since, we have been deprived of the benefit and privilege 
of an incorporation Wherefore your Petitioners pray 
the Legislature of this Commonwealth to incorporate 
them into a Town by the name of Garland, with all the 
rights and privileges that other towns are entitled in this 
Commonwealth by the Constitution, — Bounded as fol- 
lows : East by Township No. Two, in the same Range, 
on the North by Township No. Three, in the Sixth 
Range; bounded on the West by Township No. Four in 
the aforesaid Fifth Range ; bounded on the South by 
Township No. Three in the Fourth Range of Townships 
North of the Waldo Patent aforesaid, conformable to 
the original lines and corners as run and set up by Gov- 
ernment Surveyors in the year of our LORD 1792, 
originally intended to include a Tract six miles square be 
the same more or less. Your Petitioners as in duty 
bound will ever pray. 

Township Number three, March, 1810. 
(Signed) (signed) 

Edward Fifield. PhiUip Greley. 

Isaac Hopkins. Justus Hariman. 

John Stevens. Simeon Morgan. 

John Hayes. John Knight. 

Nathaniel Fifield. John S. Haskell. 

John Trefetheren. Edward Pratt. 

Dudley L. Fogg. Joseph Garland. 

Thom's Gillpatrick, Jr. Theophilus B. Morgan. 
John Pratt. Thomas Gillpatrick. 

Benj. Gillpatrick. Moses Gordon. 

Thomas S. Tyler. Josiah Bartlett. 

Silas Libbee. John Jackman, 

William Blasdell. Oliver Woodard. 

Jeremiah Flanders, Enoch Jackman. 



120 HISTORY OF GAELAND, MAINE 

Cutteon Flanders. William Godwin. 

Enoch Clough. Abraham Bond. 

John E. Gordon. Samson Silver. 

Jacob Garland. Isaac Wheeler. 

William Dustin. William Sargent. 

Ezekiel Straw. James McClure. 

Amos Gordon. John Stevens. 

John Chandler. Andrew Kimball. 
Eleazer Woodard. 

Something of the history of each person whose name 
appears on the petition has been given in preceding 
pages, except in cases of Isaac Hopkins, John Stevens, 
Dudley L. Fogg, John and Edward Pratt, Silas Libbee 
and Oliver and Eleazer Woodard. The name of Isaac 
Hopkins appears on the voting list only in 1812. It 
may be inferred that he was only a temporary resident. 

John Stevens bargained for a small piece of land on 
John Chandler's lot, where he lived only a short time. 
He was a single man. Of Dudley L. Fogg tradition 
makes no mention. John and Edward Pratt were resi- 
dents here but a short time. They early took up their 
residence in Piscataquis County. 

Silas Libbee bought a piece of land on the old 
Harriman place, which he soon abandoned. He after- 
wards bought a part of the lot known as the Joseph M. 
Gerry place. He was not long a resident of Garland. 
Oliver Woodard made a beginning on lot four, range six, 
where George W. Adams formerly lived. 

The petition for an act of incorporation was probably 
copied from the form which other townships had used. 
In response to the petition, the following act was passed 
by the General Court of Massachusetts : 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 121 

Act of Incorporation 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts 

In the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred 
and eleven. 

An act to incorporate township number three in the 
fifth range of townships north of the Waldo Patent into 
a town by the name of Garland. 

Section 1st. Be it enacted by the Senate and House 
of Representatives in General Court assembled and by 
authority of the same: That township number three in 
the fifth range of townships north of the Waldo Patent 
in the county of Hancock, bounded as follows : North- 
wardly by township number three in the sixth range; 
westwardl}' by township number four in the fifth range; 
southwardly by township number three in the fourth 
range; and eastwardly by township number two in the 
fifth range, together with the inhabitants thereof be, 
and hereby are incorporated into a town by the name of 
Garland vested with all the powers, privileges and 
immunities which other towns do, or may enjoy by the 
constitution and laws of this Commonwealth. 

Section 2. Be it further enacted, that any justice of 
the peace in said county of Hancock be, and hereby is 
empowered to issue his warrant directed to some suitable 
inhabitant of said town of Garland requiring him to 
notify and warn the inhabitants thereof qualified to vote 
in iovm affairs, to meet at such time and place as shall 
be expressed in said warrant, to choose all such officers 
as towns are by law required to choose in the month of 
March or April annually. 
In the House of Representatives, Febi'uary 14, 1811. 

This bill having had then several readings was passed 
to be enacted. 

JOSEPH STORY, Speaker. 



122 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

In Senate, February 14, 1811. 

This bill having had two several readings was passed 

to be enacted. 

H. G. OTIS, President. 

Council Chamber: 

16th of February, 1811. 

Approved E. GERRY. 

Secretary's Office, 

February 11, 1811. 

A true copy, 
Attest BENJ. HAMANS 
Secretary of the Commonwealth of Mass. 

The act of incorporation was copied into the first 
volume of town records, and the correctness of the copy 
attested by Joseph Treadwell, Garland's first town clerk. 
An inspection of the geographical description of the 
township will show that county and State lines have been 
changed since the incorporation of the town. 

The act of incorporation had the effect of converting 
an unorganized, into an organized community, and of 
investing it with all the powers, privileges and immuni- 
ties that a town may exercise and enjoy. Through the 
agency of the courts it could now enforce legal claims 
against individuals or communities, and defend itself 
against claims of an opposite character. It could now 
assess taxes to make roads, to build schoolhouses, sup- 
port schools and for other public purposes and enforce 
their payment. 

It was brought into political relations with State and 
National governments. The ballot of its humblest voter 
would weigh as much in determining who should be 
governor or president as that of the wealthiest or most 
aristocratic citizen of the State. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 123 

The transformation of township to town had been 
made under auspicious conditions. The act of incor- 
poration, the bill of rights of the inhabitants, had been 
granted by the State of Massachusetts which had been 
the home of the Pilgrim and the Puritan, the state that 
had given to New England the school, the church and 
the town meeting, and to the country the best type of 
civilization the world had ever known, the state whose 
soil was the first stained by patriot blood in the War of 
the Revolution. 

The renowned jurist, Joseph Story, signed the act as 
Speaker of the House. The cultured and polished 
Harrison Gray Otis signed it as President of the Senate, 
and Elbridge Gerry, afterwards Vice President of the 
United States, approved it as Governor. 



Garland in 1811 

The crowning act of the township in 1811 was its 
assumption of the powers, privileges and immunities of 
a corporate existence. The inhabitants of the new town 
had now only to await the coming of that characteristic 
New England institution, the town meeting, to enter 
upon the exercise of their new powers. The inhabitants 
of the new town now impatienth' awaited the act of 
incorporation which seemed very slow in coming. The 
nearest post-office was at Bangor, twenty-five miles 
away, and to the post-office in Bangor the document was 
sent. A messenger, who was awaiting its arrival, took 
it immediately to Garland. In this year of grace, 
1897, a document mailed in Boston late in the afternoon 
of a specified day, would reach the post-office in Gar- 



124 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

land on the forenoon of the next day. The document 
which the inhabitants of Garland were impatiently 
awaiting in that memorable March of 1811, was a little 
more than two weeks in coming to the Bangor post-office. 
On its arrival at Garland, it was placed in the hands of 
Isaac Wheeler, who held a commission of justice of the 
peace bearing the seal of the Commonwealth of Massa- 
chusetts. 

Squire Wheeler forthwith issued the following war- 
rant, dated March 16, 1811 : 

L. S. Hancock js: To Amos Gordon, one of the 
inhabitants of Garland in said county of Hancock, 
Greeting: 

L. S. You are hereby required in the name of the 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts to notify and warn the 
Freeholders and other inhabitants of said town qualified 
by law to vote in town affairs, to assemble at the dwelling 
house of Isaac Wheeler, Esq., on Monday the first day 
of April next at nine o'clock in the forenoon for the 
following purposes: (viz.) 

1st. To choose a moderator to govern said Meeting. 
2d. To choose a Town Clerk. 
3d. To choose three Select Men. 
4th. To choose three Assessors. 
5th. To choose a Constable. 
6th. To see what the town will do with respect to 

a collector. 
7th. To choose all other officers that the law 

requires. 
8th. To see how much money the town will raise 

to repair highways. 
9th. To see how much money the town will raise 
for the support of schools. 
10th. To see what the town will do with respect to 
building schoolhouses. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 125 

11th. To see how much money the town will raise to 

defray the expenses of the town. 
12th. To do all other business that the town shall 

think proper when assembled. 
Given under my hand and i>eal this 16th day of 
March, 1811. 

ISAAC WHEELER, 

Justice of the Peace. 

Upon the above warrant Mr. Gordon made the fol- 
lowing return : 

In pursuance of the above warrant to me directed, I 
do hereby notify and warn the freeholders and other 
inhabitants of the town of Garland qualified to vote in 
town affairs, to meet at the time and place mentioned in 
the foregoing warrant and for the purpose therein 
expressed : 

This 18th day of March, 1811. 

AMOS GORDON. 
A true copy — 

Attest, JOSEPH TREADWELL, Town Clerk. 

The matters of business presented in this warrant were 
couched in forms that had been transmitted to the 
inhabitants of Garland through successive generations, 
and are still in general use. The items of business were 
presented in these preliminary proceedings with a clear- 
ness and propriety of expression that would not be dis- 
creditable to any board of town officers that have had 
the affairs of the town in charge from that day to this. 

Two classes of voters were mentioned in the warrant — 
freeholders and other inhabitants qualified to vote in 
town affairs. The freeholder was an inhabitant who 
held an estate of a prescribed value in his own right. 
This gave him the right to vote in State and National 



126 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

affairs as well as in town affairs. The other inhabitants 
mentioned were those whose estate did not reach the 
prescribed value. These could vote only in town affairs. 



The First Town Meeting 

The first town meeting was held on the first day of 
April, 1811, at the house of Isaac Wheeler, Esq., which 
stood upon the site of the residence of the late William 
B. Foss, now the home of F. D. Wood and family, a few 
rods north of the Free Baptist church. 

The advent of the town meeting was the beginning of 
a new era to the inhabitants of Garland. They had 
lived together for eight years with no semblance of 
organization. No inhabitant could be compelled to per- 
form the slightest service for the public good although he 
would share the benefit of such service equally with other 
inhabitants. The citizens had been groping along cir- 
cuitous paths in the wilderness, carrying their burdens 
upon horseback or conveyances of the rudest character. 
Their children were living without schools, save here and 
there one at uncertain intervals of time, supported by 
voluntary subscriptions. 

Other matters relating to the public convenience and 
welfare had been neglected, but the town meeting, the 
most democratic of American institutions, had come, 
bringing with it the elements of prosperity and progress. 
It could not, indeed, create wealth, but it could levy 
taxes upon existing resources and establish schools. 
That potent factor of representative government, the 
voice of the majority, could compel the citizen, willing 
or not, to bear his share of the public burdens. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 127 

The coming of the first town meeting was an occasion 
of great importance to the inhabitants for reasons other 
than those which have been noticed. It created places 
of trust, responsibihty and honor that must be filled. 
It created emoluments which although at the present 
time would be regarded of trifling importance, were not 
matters of entire indifference then. It would not be 
uncharitable to suppose that some of the more promi- 
nent citizens, ambitious for office, had been modestly 
awaiting honors which they believed would be thrust upon 
them. There were others who were glad of an oppor- 
tunity to express in some tangible form their good-will 
towards an esteemed neighbor or friend. There were 
still others who cherished favorite plans in respect to the 
location of roads and schoolhouses, and if these could be 
realized, they cared but little who bore away the honors 
and emoluments of office. 

Punctually at the hour, the inhabitants assembled at 
the appointed place, and organized the first town meet- 
ing by the choice of Thomas Gilpatrick for moderator, 
and Joseph Treadwell for clerk. Josiah Bartlett, Isaac 
Wheeler and Thomas Gilpatrick were chosen selectmen 
and assessors. Edward Fifield was chosen constable and 
collector, and was voted a compensation of ten dollars 
for collecting all taxes for the year 1811. 

Isaac Wheeler, Esq., was chosen treasurer. John 
Chandler, Amos Gordon, Josiah Bartlett, John Hayes, 
Joseph Saunders, Thomas S. Tyler and Ezekiel Straw 
were chosen highway surveyors. The choosing of high- 
way surveyors at this meeting seems a little premature 
as no highways had been established. They were 
instructed to allow twelve and one half cents per hour 
for work on the highways, a precedent that has been fol- 
lowed to the present time. William Godwin, Andrew 
Kimball and James McClure were chosen surveyors of 



128 HISTOEY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

boards. Joseph Treadwell and Amos Gordon were 
chosen surveyors of split lumber. William Sargent, 
Benjamin Gilpatrick, William Palmer, P. Greeley, 
Cutteon Flanders and O. Woodward were chosen hog- 
reeves. William Blaisdell, Justus Harriman and Moses 
Gordon were chosen fence- viewers. Isaac Wheeler was 
chosen sealer of weights and measures. John S. Haskell 
and William Sargent were chosen field-drivers. Enoch 
Jackman was chosen sealer of leather. 

The record of Garland's first town meeting closes with 
the following entry: 

Voted to dissolve the meeting. Accordingly it was 
dissolved. 

A true copy of proceedings. 

Attest, JOSEPH TREADWELL, Clerk. 

The handwriting and general neatness of Mr. 
Treadwell 's record is very creditable. An inspection of 
the records will show a disposition to make the honors of 
office go to as many of the inhabitants as possible. 
Seven highway surveyors were appointed when, as yet, 
not a single highway had been established. Several 
other offices were filled for which there was no apparent 
use. 

This first town meeting was without doubt a meeting 
of the genuine New England type. The inhabitants had 
come together to exercise the rights and enjoy the privi- 
leges with which they had so recently been invested. 

In the town meeting, each inhabitant was the equal of 
every other, and each could represent his own views upon 
every question by voice and vote. It may be assumed 
that the proceedings were not strictly parliamentary. In 
the typical New England town meeting, the sharp 
personal thrust and instant retort, whether in order or 
not, can no more be anticipated than lightning from a 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 129 

cloudless sky. The roar of laughter that follows is the 
safety-valve for the escape of dangerous elements. 



The Second Town Meeting 

The year 1811 was fruitful of town meetings. The 
second town meeting was held at the residence of Isaac 
Wheeler, Esq., on April 22, 1811. Edward Fifield was 
chosen moderator. The main purpose of this meeting 
was to consider and act on the question of roads. 

To the inhabitants of the new town this was a question 
of serious difficulty on account of the long stretch of 
road demanded for the public convenience. If the forty- 
five families of the town had been located on contiguous 
lots in some particular section, the burden of making 
roads would have been greatly diminished, but they were 
scattered over a large part of its surface. There were 
families on the eastern border of the town and on the 
western. There were families in the extreme northwest 
corner, and in the southwest corner, as well as in the 
central part of the town. All these families must be 
accommodated. 

There was one favorable condition. There could be 
no dispute about routes. These had been predetermined 
by the original proprietors of the township, who had 
caused it to be surveyed into squares whose sides were 
one mile long, by range ways running through it from 
north to south and from east to west. These range ways 
constituted the routes for roads. Nothing remained to 
be done but to determine distances, and to indicate here 
and there a deviation from the direct route to avoid 
natural obstacles. 



130 HISTOEY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

At this meeting the selectmen submitted their report 
on the subject of roads. The first route described in 
the report, extended from the west line of the town 
through its center, to its east line, and the road is now 
known as the east and west center road. Within one 
and one half miles of the east line of the town, some 
deviations from the range line were indicated as desirable, 
but some years later, the route was restored to the range 
line. And still later a curve to the north was made near 
the old Bartlett place to avoid the steep part of the hill 
at that point. 

The second route described in the report of the select- 
men and accepted by the town, followed the range line 
between the eighth and ninth ranges, from the west line 
of the town to the southeast corner of lot four in the 
ninth range of lots. This route was a mile north of the 
east and west center route and parallel to it. The width 
of this road was fixed at three rods. A section of road 
upon this route, reaching from the west line of the town 
to the Sangerville county road, was built; also a shorter 
section, reaching from the recent site of the schoolhouse 
in district number five, one half mile east, and passing 
the Horace Davis and Emerson places. The part of the 
route between these two sections of road was discon- 
tinued by vote of the town. The families, now residing 
on the westerly section are those of George Arnold, 
Charles Carr and Robert McComb. 

The third route described in the report, extended from 
the west line of the town at a point near the present 
residence of Mark Jennings, easterly between the fourth 
and fifth ranges of lots, to the corner a few rods east of 
the site of the Congregational church. 

The fourth was a short route in the southwest part of 
the town. 

The fifth route began on the range way at the top of 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 131 

the hill, a few rods north of the residence then of the 
Rev. John Sawyer, but now owned by D. F. Patten, and 
ran southerly over the site of the present village to Exeter 
line. The larger part of this route became, a few years 
later, a section of the road leading into Piscataquis 
County. It was to be four rods wide. 

The sixth route described in the report, extended 
northerly from the southeast corner of land now owned 
and occupied by Alfred Patterson, to the point of inter- 
section with the county road now leading to Sangerville. 
One mile of the southern section of this route has never 
been built, the starting point having been changed to a 
point near the Maple Grove Cemetery, running thence 
in a northwesterly direction and intersecting the original 
route near the site of the present residence of Charles 
Greeley. 

The town voted to accept the report of selectmen 
relating to routes, and to establish roads in accordance 
therewith. It voted also to establish a road from the 
northwest corner of J. Bartlett's land, to the southwest 
corner of J, McClui'e's land, thence to the mill. This 
vote embraced the existing road, leading from the north- 
west corner of the farm now owned by Calvin Campbell, 
to the southwest corner of the cemetery near the school- 
house in district number seven. 

From the cemetery the line of the road ran westerly 
to a point near the site of the present residence of James 
Rideout, where it bore to the south and intersected the 
route of the road running south, where it is now inter- 
sected by the road from Holt's Mills. A few years 
later the route from the present Rideout place was 
changed so as to run in a pretty direct course to the 
crest of the hill, a few rods north of the present grist- 
mill. In 1855, the road was again changed to avoid the 
dangerous turn at the point of intersection with the 



i&'Z HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

north and south road. This change was from the Preble 
Brook to L. Oak's store. 

At this second meeting the town had voted to make 
twenty miles of road. This was a necessity of the time, 
but it proved a troublesome necessity. Eighteen miles 
of road embraced in this action of the town are now in 
use. Many years passed before any of these road& 
became passable for the modern carriage. 

At this meeting the town voted to raise five hundred 
dollars to make and repair highways. Although the 
second town meeting was devoted mainly to the consid- 
eration of roads, the question of schools received some 
attention. So closely connected in the New England 
mind of those early days were roads and schools that an 
appropriation for one was immediately followed by an 
appropriation for the other. 

At the meeting the town voted to raise one hundred 
dollars for the support of schools, and that the school 
money should be paid in corn at five shillings, rye at 
seven shillings and wheat at eight shillings per bushel. 
This, with similar votes from year to year in the earlier 
days of the town's history, shows that corn, rye and 
wheat were an important element in the currency of the 
inhabitants, which, with all its disadvantages, had the 
merit of an intrinsic value in harmony with that by 
which it had been invested by the legislature of the 
town, a merit of which some of the modern schemes 
relating to currency are lamentably destitute. The 
present generation may well regard the robust honesty 
of their fathers with pride. 

Another vote at the meeting of 1811 was that each 
district should build its own schoolhouse. This vote 
seems a little premature, inasmuch as not a single district 
had been established, but it disclosed an interest in 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 133 

schools which was an ever-abiding element in the hearts 
of the early inhabitants. 

The proceedings of the second town meeting of 1811 
were closed by a vote to raise fifty dollars to defray 
town charges. 



The Third Town Meeting of 1811 

This meeting assembled at the house of Isaac Wheeler, 
Esq., on the 31st day of August, 1811. Its main pur- 
pose was to consider the question of schools. 

Thomas Gilpatrick was chosen moderator, and Dr. 
James Parker, clerk. A committee of three, embracing 
Joseph Garland, Justus H. Harriman and William 
Blaisdell, was chosen to divide the town into school 
districts with instructions to report at the next meeting 
of the town. 

It was voted that the method of warning town meet- 
ings should be by written notification, and that said 
notification be set up at some place at least seven days 
previous to said meeting, except in some extraordinary 
case of emergency. In such case the method should be 
left to the discretion of the selectmen. The last pro- 
vision of this vote is significant as showing that ominous 
shadows of an impending national conflict were hanging 
over those homes in the forest, and that the purpose of 
the inhabitants was to hold themselves in readiness to 
respond to the call of their country with patriotic 
promptitude, come when it might. 



134 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

The Fourth Town Meeting of 1811 

The fourth and last town meeting of 1811 was held 
at the house of Isaac Wheeler, Esq., September 22d. 
Thomas Gilpatrick was chosen moderator, and Dr. James 
Parker, clerk pro tern. Its purpose was to hear the 
report of the committee on the division of the town into 
school districts, and to take such action with reference 
thereto as well as to the general question of schools, as 
the major it}' should determine. 

The action of the town with reference to this matter 
seems to have been in harmon}' with the recommendations 
of the committee on divisions. 

It was voted that all the settlement east of the center 
road running north and south be one district. It also 
voted that the center road running east and west, 
together with the road north of this (and parallel to it) 
be one district with the privilege of two schoolhouses. 
It voted that the settlement by E. Fifield's should be 
one district. This was in the southwest part of the 
town. 

Josiah Bartlett was appointed school agent for the 
district east of the north and south center road. 

Joseph Garland was appoinbed agent for the second 
district, and Edward Fifield for the third district. It 
was voted that each district should build its own school- 
house. 

The Rev. John Sawyer, Dr. J. Parker and Isaac 
Wheeler were chosen superintending school committee. 
This was the first school committee of the town. 

The vote of the previous meeting that each district 
should build its own schoolhouse, was reaffirmed. 

The attempts of the inhabitants of the town to par- 
tition it into school districts, and to locate and build 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 135 

schoolhouses, gave rise to a long- and persistent if not 
bitter struggle between opposing factions. The theater 
of the struggle was sometimes the town meeting, and 
sometimes the school district meeting. The history 
and results of the struggle will be given in another con- 
nection. 



Garland in 1812 

The year 1812 like that of 1811 was fruitful of town 
meetings. Business had been accumulating during the 
eight years of the unorganized condition of the town- 
ship. Now, having been invested with municipal powers, 
business that had been neglected, much of it important, 
confronted its inhabitants. 

The town had exceptional difficulties to encounter in 
providing for the welfare of its people on account of 
their being so much scattered over its surface. 

At a meeting in 1811 it had voted to make twenty- 
two miles of road. This was a task that would require 
many years in the performance. But this long stretch 
of road failed to reach all the families. There was an 
urgent demand for more road. But the division of the 
town into school districts, and the location and building 
of schoolhouses, presented questions of a much more 
perplexing character. 

The annual meeting of 1812 was held at the home of 
Isaac Wheeler, Esq. , on April 6th. Amos Gordon was 
chosen moderator, Jacob Garland town clerk, Isaac 
Wheeler, Josiah Bartlett and John Trefethen were 
chosen selectmen and assessors. 

The town voted that twenty dollars in cash should be 



136 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

raised to defray to\vn charges, and that every man should 
deliver his tax money into the hands of the town treas- 
urer. John Hayes was chosen collector, and was voted 
a compensation of four dollars for his services in this 
capacity. Amos Gordon was chosen town treasurer. 

The town voted to raise seven hundred dollars to make 
and repair highways, two hundred dollars for the sup- 
port of schools, and one hundred and thirty dollars to 
defray town charges. 

Twelve and one half cents per hour was voted for 
labor on the roads. It was voted to allow six shillings 
for corn, seven shillings for rye and eight shillings for 
wheat in payment for taxes. 

At an adjourned meeting, held April 7th, the town 
instructed the selectmen to provide powder at their own 
discretion, which indicated a prudent regard for the time- 
honored maxim, "In time of peace prepare for war." 



The First Vote for Governor 

On the same day of the annual town meeting of 1812, 
such inhabitants of Garland as were qualified to vote for 
governor, having been duly warned in the name of the 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, gave in their votes for 
governor, lieutenant governor and three senators. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 



137 



The First Voting List on Record 

Names of the inhabitants of Garland legally qualified 
to vote for governor, lieutenant governor, senators and 
county treasurer: 



Josiah Bartlett. 
Abram Bond. 
William Blaisdell. 
Isaac Copeland. 
John Chandler. 
John M. Chase. 
James McCluer. 
William Dustin. 
Edward Fifield. 
Cutteon Flanders. 
Jeremiah Flanders. 
Joseph Garland. 
Amos Gordon. 
John Gordon. 
Jacob Garland. 
Benj. Gilpatrick, Jr. 
Thomas Gilpatrick. 
Phillip Greeley. 
Moses Gordon. 
Isaac Hopkins. 
John S. Haskell. 
John Hayes. 
Manoah Harriman. 
William Church. 
John Saunders. 
Nathaniel Fifield. 
John Grant. 
Thos. Gilpatrick, Jr. 
Justus Harriman. 
Enoch Jackman. 
James Hutchinson. 



John Jackman. 
John Knight. 
Silas Libbee. 
Simeon Morgan. 
James Parker. 
Rev, John Sawyer. 
Ezekiel Straw. 
Moses Saunders. 
Joseph Saunders. 
Oliver Saunders. 
John Stephens. 
William Sargent. 
Sampson Silver. 
Thomas Tyler. 
John Trefethen. 
Joseph Treadwell. 
Sullivan Tyler. 
Isaac Wheeler. 
Oliver Woodward. 
William Godwin. 
Enoch Clough. 
Landeras Grant. 
Simon French. 
James Jackman. 
James Godwin. 

Selectmen, 

Isaac Wheeler. 
Thomas Gilpatrick. 
Josiah Bartlett. 



138 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

For Governor. 

Hon. Elbridge Gerry had thirty-five votes. Hon. 
Caleb Strong had thirteen votes. Scattering, four votes. 

For Lieutenant Governor. 

Hon. William King had thirty -seven votes. Hon. 
William Philips had fourteen votes. 

Although war with Great Britain had not yet been 
declared, active preparations for the anticipated event 
were in progress. The preponderance of sentiment in 
the old Commonwealth was adverse to the war. But in 
less than three months war was formally proclaimed by 
President Madison, whose term of office would expire in 
the following March. The political forces which would 
determine whether or not Mr. Madison should be his 
own successor, were being marshalled in every town how- 
ever new, small or remote, within the limits of the 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 

The voters of Garland gave their approval to the war 
policy of President Madison by a majority of almost 
three to one. 

History repeated itself when, in 1864, the War of the 
Rebellion was nearing its close, and Abraham Lincoln 
was a candidate for reelection, the opposition declared 
the war a failure and went into the campaign with that 
as its main issue. 

The second meeting of the town in 1812 was held at 
Church's mills on the 25th of July. 

The purpose of this meeting was mainly to consider 
the matter of roads, an account of which will appear in 
another place. The only other business transacted was 
to instruct the selectmen to buy forty pounds of powder 
and balls and flints in proportion, at the expense of the 
town. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 139 

A third town meeting was held at the house of Joseph 
Garland on the 24th day of September, 1812, to con- 
sider a school district question, without result. 

A fourth town meeting was held on the second day of 
November, 1812, at the house of Isaac Wheeler, Esq., 
to consider the question of school districts. 



First Vote for Member of Congress for the 
Kennebec District 

On the second day of November, 1812, the voters of 
Garland assembled at the house of Isaac Wheeler, Esq., 
to give in their votes for a member of Congress to 
represent the Kennebec District, when Hon. James Carr 
received seventeen votes; Hon. John Wilson received 
seventeen votes. 



The First Vote for a Presidential Elector 

On the 12th day of November, 1812, the inhabitants 
of Garland qualified to vote for presidential electors, 
assembled at the house of John Grant to give in their 
votes for that officer. Hon. William Crosby received 
twenty-three votes, Hon. James Campbell received four- 
teen votes. 

A town meeting was held at the house of Isaac 
Wheeler, Esq., on the 17th of November, 1812. This 
meeting was devoted exclusively to the consideration of 
the school question. The articles of business named in 
the warrant calling the meeting were all "passed over." 

The year 1812 closed the first decade of the history 
of Garland as a township. It had now been invested 
with corporate powers. 



140 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

Construction of Early Houses 

It has been said that the life of a country or com- 
munity is the essential fact of history. While the 
history of the lives of the early settlers of Garland may 
be devoid of interest to the general reader, it cannot 
fail to be of interest to their descendants. 

A very few of the first houses in Garland, including 
those of the two or three first settlers, were built of 
logs. The proprietors of the township had built a saw- 
mill before other houses were needed. A saw-mill had 
also been built in the township now known as Dexter, 
which accommodated the settlers of the western and 
northwestern sections of Garland. 

Sawed lumber now took the place of logs in the con- 
struction of buildings. Nails made one b}^ one, by the 
blacksmith of the township were used. The first framed 
house in the township was built hy Joseph Treadwell for 
John Tyler, upon the farm now owned by Charles Brown. 
Mr. Treadwell was the grandfather of our present citi- 
zen, Joseph Treadwell. He came from New Gloucester, 
Maine, in the summer of 1802, on horseback, bringing 
his tools with him, cut, hewed and framed the timber 
and hauled it to the building site, raised and covered the 
walls and roof the same summer. He finished the house 
in the summer of 1803. A gambrel roof covered the 
body of the house. 

To the regret of many of our older citizens, this 
quaint old house gave place to one of more modern con- 
struction years ago. 

The early houses had, as a general rule, only a single 
room upon the ground floor. In this, the unwieldy 
loom, the spinning-wheel, and bed for the heads of the 



HISTOliy OF OAKLAND, MAINE 141 

family found place. There were no partitions save as 
quilts and comforters served as such. The pride of the 
housewife was the large, red dresser, with open shelves at 
the top, where were displayed the shining rows of bright 
tin dishes. 

A heav}' cleat door, swinging on wooden hinges, 
furnished with a wooden latch, indicated the place of 
ingress and exit. 

On the outside, the door was opened by a string 
attached to the latch, which passed through a hole above 
it to the inside. When the family retired at night, the 
string was pulled in for the safety of its inmates. The 
second floor was of rough boards or splits placed across 
the floor timbers. Sometimes straight poles laid closely 
together across the floor timbers were made to do service 
as a floor. The second floor was reached by a ladder. 



How Houses Were Warmed 

"Shut in from all the world without 
We sat the clean-winged hearth about; 
Content to let the north wind roar 
With baffled rage at pane and door. 
While the red logs before us beat 
The frost line back with tropic heat. 

"What matter how the night behaved ? 
What matter how the north wind raved ? 
Blow high, blow low. not all its snow 
Could quench our house fires" rudd}?^ glow." 

— Whittier. 

The capacious stone fire-place with smoke flues of 
boards or sticks imbedded in clay mortar, was a marked 
feature of the early homes. Such chimneys were some- 
times burned without much injury to the house. 



142 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

The various appliances for kindling fires at the present 
time were then unknown. 

It was therefore necessary to preserve fire from night 
until morning. This was done by protecting the glow- 
ing coals with an ample covering of ashes. In case of 
failure to preserve the fire through the night, the only 
resort was to borrow from the nearest neighbor regard- 
less of distance. 



An All-Day Fire 

The first thing of a cold winter morning was to lay 
the foundation for an all-day fire. The ample bed of 
coals, that had reposed under a covering of ashes, was 
scraped aside with the large iron shovel. A log of birch 
or maple of the average size of eighteen or twenty inches 
in diameter had been drawn in on a hand sled or raised 
up on end and hitched along, first on one corner and 
then the other. This was placed in the back of the fire- 
place and upon it a back log was laid. A large fore- 
stick was placed on the andirons in front. Stones were 
sometimes used in place of andirons. The foundation of 
the all-day fire was now complete. Kindlings and fine 
wood, dried between the jambs of the capacious fire- 
place, were used to start the fire. In due time the 
"frost line" was forced back towards the rear of the 
room. 

The open fire was used to cook the food of the family. 
In the long-handled frying-pan, heated by the glowing 
coals, meat, fish and game were cooked. Indian meal, 
rye meal, and rye and Indian meal mixed, were spread 
upon long, shoal tins and baked by the heat of the open 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 143 

fire. A fat, nicely dressed chicken or other fowl, hang- 
ing by the legs before the glowing coals of the huge fire- 
place, held by a flaxen string fastened to the floor tim- 
bers above, was not an unusual sight. 



How the Houses AVere Lighted 

The blaze of the large open fire furnished all the light 
needed in the main room for ordinary purposes. If the 
boys and girls desired light to prepare their lessons for 
the next day's school, they would bring pine knots from 
the forest for the needed additional light. 

Portable lights were prepared by coiling a narrow piece 
of twisted cotton cloth in a dish of lard. Tallow 
candles run in moulds came into early use. 



Furniture of the Times 

The furniture of the early settlers, if indeed the word 
thus used is not a misnomer, was of the rudest descrip- 
tion. The substitutes were such as could be made with 
the saw, axe, auger and shave, supplemented b}^ nails 
from the hands of the common blacksmith. 



144 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 



The Clothing of the Inhabitants 

"I hear the humming of the wheel — 

Strange music of the days gone by — 
I hear the clicking of the reel, 
Once more I see the spindle fly : 

How then I wondered at the thread 
That narrowed from the snowy wool. 
Much more to see the pieces wed, 
And wind upon the whirling spool." 

— Walter Bruce. 

The materials that entered into the clothing of the 
early settlers were wool, linen and cotton. Some of 
them brought woolen yarn from the homes of their child- 
hood. Sheep in small numbers were early brought into 
the township. Almost every family cultivated a small 
piece of flax, which when ready for harvest, was cut and 
spread evenly in rows, where it remained until the bark 
of the plant that concealed the long, fine fiber was 
decomposed by the influences of sun, dew and rain. 
Then under cover of barn or shed it was passed through 
a flax-brake, a clumsy wooden machine worked by hand. 
This was the first step in the process of ridding the fiber 
of the bark. The process was completed by the use of 
a large wooden knife, called a swingling-knife, by which 
the fiber was cleared of the small pieces of bark still 
adhering to it. 

The fiber was then passed through the hatchel to free 
it from the short, coarse fiber called tow, which was util- 
ized for various purposes. It was now drawn into thread 
on the small wheel and woven into cloth which was used 
as clothing for men, women and children, also for table 
linen and toweling. 

Any surplus above the wants of the family was readily 
sold in Bangor. It was often exchanged for cotton, 
which in turn was manufactured on the wheel and loom 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 145 

for home use or sale. Cotton and wool were also trans- 
formed into cloth by wheel and loom. 

It must not be inferred that the spinning and weaving 
of the early days were irksome to those who performed 
them. To the ears of the ambitious housewife, the hum 
of the wheel upon which the thread was drawn from the 
wool, and the rattle of the shuttle, passing swiftly back 
and forth between the warp and woof, associated as they 
were with the future comfort of husband and children, 
were music as inspiring as that of band or orchestra. 
The movements of the maiden, vieing with the mother 
for excellence of achievement at the wheel, were as grace- 
ful as any in the fashionable ballroom. 



Their Food 

The food of the early settlers of the township was 
simple and substantial. Salt pork, salt beef, game and 
fish from forest and stream, entered largely into their 
food supply. Johnny cakes, rye cakes, and cakes of rye 
and Indian meal mixed, were baked in oblong tins by the 
heat of the coals of the open fire. 

This was before brick ovens came into use. Hasty 
puddings were also relished. In some families bean por- 
ridge was a favorite and convenient dish. It could be 
made in large quantities and its keeping qualities were 
good, as according to the old proverb, bean porridge hot 
or cold, is best when nine days old. 

The soil of the township was well adapted to the pro- 
duction of wheat, and sometimes forty bushels of that 
cereal were produced on a single acre of land. Wheat 
flour entered but slightly into the food supply of the 



146 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

period, on account of lack of machinery to manufacture 
it into flour. 



A Luxury 

Maple syrup was one of the few luxuries of the early 
settlers. The boys of the families looked forward to 
the season of its manufacture with fond anticipations. 
The methods employed were of a rude character. 

In the latter part of February the work of preparation 
was begun. By the aid of the gimlet and jack-knife, 
wooden conductors were made to carry the sap into 
troughs, which were used instead of the tin pails of the 
present time. The troughs were made from logs of 
basswood, about three and one half feet in length, and 
fifteen to eighteen inches in diameter, split into halves, 
which were hollowed with an axe, and subjected to heat 
to close the pores of the wood to prevent leakage. 

When the period for active operations arrived, the 
troughs and conductors were distributed to the trees of 
the sugar orchard. Small holes from four to five inches 
deep were bored into the tree, three to four feet from 
the ground, into which the conductors were driven. 

The clumsy troughs were placed to i-eceive the sap as 
it ran from the trees, which was generally gathered in 
the morning, and poured into a receptacle placed at a 
central point. 

Two or more iron kettles were suspended from a hori- 
zontal pole far enough from the ground to allow a hot 
fire beneath them, which forced the water off", leaving 
the syrup for the delectation of family and friends. 



HISTORY OK GARLAND, MAINK 147 

Social Life 

Separated from parents, brothers and sisters, and the 
companions of their earlier life, and subjected to hard- 
ships and privations common to them all, the primitive 
settlers who met as strangers became fast friends at sight. 
Scattered over the entire area of the township, through 
the mistaken pohcy of the original proprietors, the 
interchange of visits was much less frequent than would 
have been the case had the\' been compactly located. 

They were a very hospitable people, and the latch- 
string was always out, not only to the inhabitants of 
their own township, but to those of other townships. 

Visits were more common in winter than in summer. 
The men were more at leisure. Horse or ox-teams could 
be driven at will among the trees at this season. A pair 
of quick-moving steers hitched to a common ox-sled was 
regarded as a good turnout. 

John Morgan, one of the early settlers of the town- 
ship now known as Dexter, who was on neighborly terms 
with the people of Garland, was accustomed to boast of 
a more aristocratic turnout than an}' of his neighbors 
possessed. He was the owner of a carpenter's bench 
which, turned bottom up on his ox sled, was supplied 
with a generous layer of clean straw whereon his family 
could rest their feet, and seats of boards, supported by 
the sides of the bench. The visiting party being pro- 
tected by comforters and quilts, and the quick-moving 
oxen attached to the sled, now started j oyously on their 
way to friends who were ready to receive them with open 
arms. 

In summer the people went from house to house on foot 
or horseback. The conditions of life in the new township 
which have been described, refer particularly to the first 
ten years of its history. 



148 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 



The Conquest of the Forest 

At the beginning of the pi-esent centuiy, the township 
was covered with a heav}- forest growth. There were 
gigantic maples whose spreading tops had waved in the 
storms of centuries, and whose massive trunks having no 
marketable value were relentlessly consigned to the flames. 
There were also the tall, towering pines whose trunks 
had never been disfigured by the "King's mark.'* 
Intermingled with these, were man}' varieties of humbler 
growth, all of which must give way to sunlight and 
civilization. 

The removal of this imposing forest growth required 
courage and muscle, both of which the pioneers of the 
township possessed in large measure. The felling of the 
trees was generally performed in the month of June. 

Armed with his favorite axe of polished steel and keen 
edge, the pioneer commenced his attack upon that 
portion of the forest that came within the scope of the 
year's plans. After a careful inspection of the configu- 
ration of the ground, and the inclination of the trees, he 
chopped into both sides of each, on a strip of one to 
two rods wide, and of indefinite length. One of the 
giants of the forest with widely spreading branches was 
then felled, which, descending with great force, carried 
with it the trees next in range, and these, in turn, 
carrying others, until all that had been nitched reached 
the ground with a terrific crash. This in the vernacular 
of the period was a "drive." The breaking of the 
strong, coarse fibers of the trees, subjected to this 
irresistible force, was sometimes heard on a clear, still 
morning, two or three miles awa}^ and was strikingly 
suggestive of human agony. 

The next step in clearing land was the dropping of 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 149 

the limbs from the prostrated trunks of the trees, with 
the axe, the only tool which has not been radically 
changed in form within the last one hundred years. 

The limbs and leaves were packed together to facili- 
tate the burning when the torch should be applied in 
the coming autumn, or more frequently, in the following 
spring. When the large amount of combustible matter 
was believed to be in condition for a "good burn," fires 
were started at different points. 

The terrific roaring of the flames, as they leaped from 
point to point, rising above the surrounding tree tops,, 
and the dense volume of smoke that shut off the light 
of the sun, lingered in the memories of our fathers until 
the end of life. 

The "felled piece" having been cleared of the leaves 
and small limbs by fire, the work of hand-piling was 
next in order. This meant the piling by hand of the 
larger limbs and brands that had not been reduced to 
ashes. When these piles were burned, the land was 
ready for the reception of seed, from which sprang the 
first crops, embracing corn and subsidiary crops, such as 
potatoes, beans, and garden vegetables. 



Planting Corn 

Corn and other seeds were planted on the patches of 
land between the blackened trunks of the prostrate trees. 

The planter provided himself with a little bag which 
was suspended from his waist, filled with seed, and a hoe 
with a blade about three inches wide, with a handle 
fifteen to eighteen inches long. With his strong right 
arm, he thrust the hoe through the scurf on the surface 



150 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

of the ground into the underlying loam, threw the seed 
into the incision, and pressing the earth above the seed 
with his foot, he passed on, repeating the process until 
the planting was completed. 

If he had been favored with a "good burn," only a 
little labor was required from the planting to the har- 
vesting of the crop. ' 

There were two classes of harvesters, bipedal and 
quadrupedal. As soon as the kernels of corn began to 
take form on the cob, the bears and smaller quadrupeds 
began their harvesting. Various expedients were put in 
requisition to limit the depredation of these animals, 
but not with entire success. 

But in spite of these drawbacks, the pioneer obtained 
a fair crop of corn, any surplus of w^hich, above the 
needs of his family, entered into the currency of the 
period at prices fixed by common custom. 

The next step in clearing land was to divest it of the 
trunks of the trees that were scattered over it. These 
were cut into sections, hauled together, placed in piles, 
and burned. The land was now ready for the crop of 
the second year. 

The second crop, in the first ten years of the town- 
ship's histoiy, was more often a crop of rye than any 
other, because there were early facilities to grind it. 
The soil was well adapted to the growth of wheat, but 
this crop was neglected on account of the lack of the 
more expensive machinery for reducing it to flour. 
Bread of rye meal, mixed with corn meal, was regarded 
as excellent food. 

Grass seed was sown with the grain for the second 
crop, and the grass springing therefrom, became the crop 
of the third year. The pioneer enlarged his "opening" 
each year by the process that has been described, and 
the same alternation of crops followed in each triennial 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 151 

period, until at midsummer, his eyes were greeted with 
waving crops of grass and grain, and in autumn, he 
received the cheerful salutations of his tasseled corn, and 
watched the gambols of his growing flocks. 

He now enters a new decade. The township having 
assumed a corporate existence, had exchanged the elon- 
gated name of Lincolntown for the euphonic name of 
Garland. The first kiln of bricks having been made in 
1812, upon the old homestead of the late William S. 
Haskell, the huge stone fire-places began to give way to 
brick fire-places and ovens. 



Garland in 1813 

The annual town meeting of 1813, was held at the 
house of Isaac Wheeler on the 5th day of April. Josiah 
Bartlett was chosen moderator, Jacob Garland, town 
clerk, Isaac Wheeler, William Blaisdell and Joseph 
Garland, selectmen and assessors. The Rev. John 
Sawyer, Isaac Wheeler and Joseph Garland were chosen 
superintending school committee. 

It was voted to raise one hundred and fifty dollars for 
schools, six hundred dollars for highways, and one 
hundred dollars for town charges. It was voted to pay 
town charges and school money in corn, r^'e and wheat, 
at six, seven and nine shillings per bushel respectively. 

Town meetings were not of so frequent occurrence in 
1813 as in the two preceding years. 

The second and last meeting for municipal purposes in 
1813, was held on the 30th of October, at the house of 
Isaac Wheeler, Esq., and was devoted to the considera- 
tion of roads and bridges. 



152 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 



West Garland 

A building was erected at West Garland about the 
year 1813, possibly a year earlier, by Stephen Kimball, 
a citizen of Bangor, and Abner Sanborn, who was after- 
wards for several years a prominent citizen of Garland, 
for the purpose of wool-carding and cloth dressing. 

Messrs. Kimball and Sanborn put up a building, also, 
for the manufacture of potash from wood-ashes, of which 
the large quantities of hard-wood consumed in the 
capacious fire-places of the times, afforded an abundant 
supply. 

Asa Soule, who afterwards made a beginning on the 
land adjoining the town farm, was given charge of the 
wool-carding and cloth dressing business. He was suc- 
ceeded by Benjamin Mayo, a brother of the late John 
G. Mayo, the well known manufacturer of Foxcroft. 

About the same time Edward Fifield built a saw and 
grist-mill upon the site now occupied by the mills of 
Lewis Crowell. He also built a house which was his 
home for several years. 

In the early efforts to utilize the water-power at the 
outlet of Pleasant Pond, the present village at West 
Garland had its origin. In later years, and farther 
down on the stream, Horace Gordon and his son, H. 
Lester Gordon, have used the water power at West Gar- 
land for manufacturing purposes. Still farther down 
Amos Gordon has a saw and shingle-mill. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 153 

Garland in 1814 

The annual meeting for town business was held at the 
house of Isaac Wheeler, Esq., on the 4th day of April. 
Josiah Bartlett was chosen moderator, and Jacob Gar- 
land, town clerk. Ezekiel Straw, Benjamin Gilpatrick 
Jr. , and Isaac Copeland were chosen selectmen and assess- 
ors, and Isaac Wheeler, Esq., was chosen treasurer. 
Rev, John Sawyer, Isaac Wheeler, Esq., and Abner 
Sanborn were chosen superintending school committee. 

The town voted to raise eight hundred dollars for 
highways, two hundred dollars for schools, seventy-five 
dollars to defray town charges and fifty dollars to buy 
powder and balls. The treasurer was voted a compen- 
sation of six dollars, and the collector was allowed five 
and three quarters per cent, for collecting taxes. 

The election of state and county officers was held the 
same day. 

For Governor. 

William Dexter received twenty-four votes. Caleb 
Strong received twenty-two votes. 

For Lieutenant Governor. 

William Gray received twenty-four votes. William 
Phillips received twenty-four votes. 

At a town meeting held on December 3d, 1814, one 
of the items in the warrant was to see if the town would 
vote to lay out a road from the Lake, so called, to Exe- 
ter line. The swampy land lying between the present 
residences of John Campbell and Henry M. Paine, south 
of Garland village, was for many years known as the 
Lake. The incidents that suggested this name have 
been narrated on a preceding page. 



154 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 



The War of 1812 

To the inhabitants of the Penobscot Valley, the year 
1814 was a year of excitement. The war with England 
had been in progress for two years, but hitherto it had 
been waged at a distance. Now it was nearing, and cit- 
izens of military age were in constant expectancy of 
being called into active service. 

On the 17th of August, 1814, the United States ship 
of war, the Adams, carrying twenty-five guns, was driven 
by stress of weather upon rocks near the Isle au Haut, a 
small island near the southern limits of Penobscot Bay, 
and disabled. Her gallant commander. Captain Morris, 
immediately took her up the river to Hampden for 
repairs. The Adams had been preying upon English 
commerce, having captured several English vessels within 
the preceding three months. For these reasons she was 
to the English an ardently coveted prize. When the 
accident to the Adams, and its locality, had come to the 
ears of the enemy, its capture was immediately deter- 
mined upon. On the first day of September, 1814, 
Captain Morris of the Adams was waited on by a mes- 
senger who had come in hot haste to inform him that 
several English vessels were making their way up the river. 

Captain Morris, well knowing that the coming of the 
enemy meant a desperate attempt to capture the Adams, 
hastened to establish a battery of fourteen guns upon the 
wharf, and another of nine guns on an elevation fifty rods 
down the river. While the mariners were placing the 
guns in position, Captain Morris, obtaining an interview 
with General Blake, who was in command of the land 
forces, assured him that if he could be protected from a 
flank movement by the enemy's forces, he could easily 
arrest the passage of his vessels up river. This inter- 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 155 

view, at which some of the prominent citizens of Hamp- 
den and vicinity were present, disclosed a fatal lack of 
decision and unity of sentiment as to what should be 
done in the emergency that confronted them. Some of 
the citizens fearing that resistance would lead to the 
destruction of the town were in favor of throwing them- 
selves upon the magnanimity of the enemy. 

Captain Morris declared in a few brief and burning 
words that nothing could be hoped from British mag- 
nanimity, and added — "Keep the enemy from outflank- 
ing me and I will arrest the passage of his vessels up the 
river. These are our respective duties, and we must dis- 
charge them." 

At the close of the interview. Captain Morris returned 
to the wharf to complete arrangements there, and 
General Blake entered upon the work of making a dis- 
position of his forces which numbered about five hundred 
men. Early in the morning of September ikl the enemy 
began to move towards the American line of defense. 
A heavy fog resting upon the river and banks covered his 
incipient movements. Soon the British regulars emerged 
from the fog, and moved towards the position held by 
General Blake. Their firm and regular movement, confi- 
dent bearing, and imposing uniforms, carried terror to 
General Blake's undisciplined troops. After an exchange 
of a few rounds, General Blake's line gave way near the 
center, which was followed by a general and precipitate 
retreat. 

Captain Morris, soon finding his position untenable, 
spiked his guns, set fire to his vessel, and with his men 
made his escape to Bangor. 

It is not necessary to the purpose of this narrative to 
describe in detail the various acts of "magnanimity" 
toward those confiding citizens who exhibited such eager 



156 HISTOEY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

readiness to throw themselves upon the mercy of an inso- 
lent and relentless foe. 



Garland's First Military Company 

At the beginning of the War of 1812, through the 
agency of Captain Isaac Hodsdon of Corinth, afterwards 
widely known as Major General Hodsdon, a company of 
militia was organized at Garland. Captain Hodsdon 
was a young man of great military enthusiasm and 
marked ability, and an ardent supporter of President 
Madison's administration. 

The members of the company, over thirty in number, 
met at the barn of Isaac Wheeler, Esq., and organized 
by the election of Thomas S. Tyler, captain; Isaac 
Copeland, lieutenant, and William Blaisdell, ensign. 
Despite the apparent general acquiescence in the pro- 
priety of a military company, there was a secret and 
strong opposition to it that had been quieted by the tact 
of Captain Hodsdon, but not subdued. The reasons 
assigned by the opposition were that the isolated position 
of the town should exempt its citizens from military ser- 
vice, and that the cost to the members of the company 
for arms and equipments, added to other burdens of 
their condition, would be a great hardship. 

There was, also, a political reason that was at the 
basis of opposition of some of the citizens. This was 
opposition to the existing national administration, and 
to the war then in progress. 

From the considerations that have been named there 
resulted a tacit understanding that, at the expiration of 
the time allowed the officers-elect to decide whether they 



HISTOEY OF GARLAND, MAINE 157 

would accept the commissions they had been offered, they 
would decline them. Such action would make it neces- 
sary to go over the ground again and involve delay. 

In defiance of the expectations of the citizens, the 
officers-elect accepted the commissions tendered them, 
and the company became a verit3\ 

The holding a military office in these days was a 
distinction that appealed to the pride of the ambitious, 
and some of the citizens of Garland were uncharitable 
enough to charge that the honor of military titles was 
the motive that led the officers-elect to accept commis- 
sions in violation of promises not to do so. 

The organization of the company having been effected, 
its members were called together at regular intervals for 
inspection and drill. 



A Midnight Summons 

The night of September 2d, 1814, was dark and 
rainy. The citizens of Garland had retired to rest at 
the usual hour with no suspicion that their slumbers 
would be disturbed until the light of morning called 
them to the duties of a new day. 

At the midnight hour the family of Moses Gordon 
was awakened by the galloping of a horse into their 
dooryard, quickly followed by a violent rapping at their 
door. Promptly presenting himself, Mr. Gordon was 
confronted by a well-known citizen of Exeter, Jonathan 
Palmer, whose nervous and excited bearing indicated 
startling news. 

The British, he said, having captured Castine were on 
their way up the Penobscot to capture the frigate 



158 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

Adams, lying at the wharf at Hampden for repairs, and 
to make an attack on Bangor. The company in Gar- 
land must be ordered at once to report forthwith for 
service at Hampden. A few minutes later, Mr. Gordon 
was in the saddle riding at the top of the horse's speed 
to the residence of Captain Tyler, who lived where 
Thomas McComb now lives. The slumbers of Captain 
Tyler were as rudely interrupted as had been those of 
Mr. Gordon a half hour earlier. 

Mr. Gordon was ordered to warn the company to 
appear at the residence of Isaac Wheeler forthwith with 
arms and equipments. Disregarding darkness, rain and 
rough roads, Mr. Gordon executed Captain Tyler's 
order with remarkable dispatch. Nearly all the men 
answered to the roll-call in the morning. 

Early in the day of September 3d, the company was 
on its way towards Hampden. Most of the men had 
provided themselves with horses. The company moved 
on without special incident until they reached Levant, 
now Kenduskeag. Here a rumor reached their ears that 
the enemy had passed Hampden and was in possession 
of Bangor. But the company moved forward until it 
reached the foot of the long declivity, now known as the 
Jameson Hill, where they met a squad of marines from 
the Adams, who confirmed the rumor. 

After abandoning the Adams, Captain Morris and his 
men proceeded directly to Bangor, with the purpose of 
getting to Portland by the way of the Kennebec. At 
Bangor, he divided his men into three squads, and as the 
country between the Penobscot and Kennebec was 
sparsely settled, he ordered the several squads to go from 
the one river to the other, by different routes, to insure 
adequate subsistence on the road. One of these squads 
came to Kenduskeag, and from this point took a westerly 
course to the Kennebec Rivei*. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 159 

It was this squad the Garland company met at the 
foot of the Jameson Hill, and which confirmed the 
rumor of the occupation of Hampden and Bangor by 
the British. As nothing was to be gained by continu- 
ing the march towards the place of the late conflict, the 
larger part of the Garland company turned their faces 
homeward. 

Individuals of the company, however, pushed on to 
get a sight of the insolent and hated redcoats. 

The movements of the marines having for many 
months been confined to the vessel's deck, some of them 
had become footsore and lame by their hurried march 
over the rough roads through the forest. Our men from 
Garland having heard of the exploits of these marines in 
the capture of British vessels, were filled with admira- 
tion for their bravery, and sympathy for their present 
hardships. It was, therefore, with patriotic satisfaction 
that they offered these tired marines the use of their 
horses to carry them to Kenduskeag, where they were to 
be served with a substantial dinner by Moses Hodsdon, 
and the horses were to be left for their owners. 

But the Garland soldiers found to their sorrow that 
brave men were not always strictly honest. Several of 
the marines seemed to believe that an extension of their 
ride was of more consequence to themselves than a good 
dinner at Hodsdon 's, or the fulfillment of their promises 
to their benefactors. They, therefore, skipped the din- 
ner and rode on. Moses Gordon was one of the victims 
of misplaced confidence, and in company with others, he 
borrowed a horse, and went in pursuit. Darkness soon 
enveloped the pursuing party, which coming to an old 
camp in the woods, within the limits of the present 
town of Stetson, turned in and spent the night. 

Starting early in the morning, they reached the camp 
of the fugitives, in the same town, as they were about to 



160 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

resume their day's march. Being sharply rebuked for 
their treachery, they declared with an expression of 
injured innocence, that they were then exactly where, as 
they understood it, the horses were to be left. 

An incident occurred on the return march of the Gar- 
land company which greatly amused the rank and file. 
They were moving leisurely along, talking of the excit- 
ing events of the previous night, and of the morning's 
march, when suddenly there emerged from the shadows 
of the heavy forest growth a tall, lean, cadaverous speci- 
men of humanity, with a high forehead and elongated 
chin, who approached them, musket in hand, with long 
and rapid strides. The perspiration was running down 
his cheeks in streams, and he presented an aspect of 
fierce determination that boded peril to some invisible 
foe, whatever the form, or wherever the locality of that 
foe. 

He was making his way with such impetuosity that he 
scarcely slackened his pace to notice the returning 
soldiers, much less to inquire into the logic of their 
movement from, instead of towards, his supposed theatre 
of conflict. But they challenged his attention so sharply 
that he lingered with ill concealed impatience to hear 
their explanations, then resuming his march with accel- 
erated movement, he exclaimed, "I don't care- — I will 
have one shot at the redcoats anyway !" 

During his parley with the soldiers, he was recognized 
as a prominent citizen of Exeter, and it should be said 
that when in normal condition, he was a man of good 
personal appearance. 



HISTORY OF GARLANB, MAINE 161 

Enlistments 

Not many of the citizens of Garland enlisted in the 
War of 1812. Simon French, the father of our citizen, 
the late Eben French, enlisted in one of the two com- 
panies detached from General Blake's brigade. John 
Jackman, father of our late citizens, Justus and James 
Jackman, enlisted in another company of the same 
brigade. These companies were stationed at Eastport. 
Mr. Jackman, afterwards known as Captain Jackman, 
was a man of great size and strength and abounding 
good nature. In his intercourse with others, he often 
carried a disputed point by jokes and pleasantries. On 
one occasion he went to the commissary department with 
a complaint of the bread ration, when the following 
colloquy occurred — "What's the matter with the 
bread.'*" the officer in charge asked. "It is so dry and 
hard the men are in danger of breaking their teeth," 
was the reply. "The men must have poor teeth," said 
the officer, with an exasperating expression of incredulity. 
Nothing daunted, Mr. Jackman repeated the complaint 
in intensified form. "It's so hard," he said, "I can 
force fire from it with the back of my jack-knife. " "I'd 
like to see you do it," replied the officer; whereupon a 
messmate of Mr. Jackman stepped forward with a loaf 
of the discredited hard bread, and passed it to him. 
Pulling a huge jack-knife from his pocket, he examined 
the blade very carefully as well as the loaf, which was to 
be an important factor in the performance, as if to find 
whether the conditions were favorable to success. 

He now commenced the effort to coax sparks from the 
loaf, but while crumbs rattled over the floor, there were 
no sparks of fire. The ludicrous performance drew peals 
of laughter from the waiting crowd. Presently the 



162 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

promised sparks began to light up the scene. The 
laughter became more boisterous, but our Garland 
soldier was no longer its subject. The sparks that 
amused the crowd, came from the impingement of the 
knife upon a gun-flint concealed in the loaf. This was 
before the invention of the percussion cap. The quality 
of the bread ration was improved by this incident. 



Garland in 1815 

Town meetings in Garland in 1815 were of frequent 
occurrence but, to a great extent, barren of results. 
The division of the town into school districts, the location 
of schoolhouses and roads, were subjects of perpetual 
discussion, both in and out of the municipal gatherings. 

The annual meeting of 1815 was held at the resi- 
dence of Isaac Wheeler, Esq., on the 13th day of 
March. Ebenezer Greenleaf was chosen moderator, and 
Moses Gordon, clerk. The selectmen for the year were 
Isaac Wheeler, Esq., Benjamin Gilpatrick and Amos 
Gordon. The same persons were chosen assessors. The 
Rev. John Sawyer, Isaac Wheeler, Esq., and James 
Parker were elected superintending school committee. 
Moses Gordon was chosen collector, his compensation 
being fixed at five and three fourths per cent. The town 
voted to raise three hundred dollars for the support of 
schools ; one hundred and twenty -five dollars to defray 
town charges, and seven hundred dollars to build and 
repair roads, and to allow twelve and one half cents per 
hour for labor. 

A town meeting was held at the house of Isaac 
Wheeler, Esq., on November 4th, 1815, "to see what 



HISTORY OK GARLAND, MAINK 163 

measure the town will adopt respecting the division of 
the county." Previous to this time, Garland had been 
a constituent part of the county of Hancock. A 
general movement had been inaugurated to secure the 
establishment of a new county. 

Isaac Wheeler, Esq., P^benezer Greenleaf and John S, 
Haskell were chosen a committee to petition the Legis- 
lature of Massachusetts for the proposed division. At 
this meeting, John S. Haskell, John Chandler, Cutteon 
Flanders and William Church were appointed tithing 
men. The appointment of such officials was of regular 
occurrence in the earlier years of the town's history. 
Their duty was to preserve good order during divine ser- 
vice. There being no schoolhouses in town at this date, 
and the persons named residing in different sections, 
would seem to indicate that religious meetings were held 
at private houses or in open air at different parts. 

The sixth and last town meeting of 1815 was held on 
the 25th of November, at the residence of Isaac 
Wheeler, Esq. The inhabitants came together to make 
one more effort to harmonize differences respecting the 
location and building of schoolhouses, but without 
practical result. 



Garland in 1816 

Petition fob a Ni:w Statk 

The sentiment in the Province of Maine in favor of 
receding from the Mother State had been gaining 
strength from the beginning of the War of 1812, and 
took the form of organized action in 1816. In his 
history of Maine, Mr. Williamson informs us that early 



164 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

in the yea.Y of 1816, forty-nine towns in the District of 
Maine petitioned for separation in their corporate capaci- 
ties, and that there were petitions from individuals in 
about as many more towns for the same object. 

On the 18th of January the legal voters of Garland 
in town meeting assembled, passed the following vote: 
"That the town petition the Legislature for a separation 
of the District of Maine from the State of Massachu- 
setts, and for its erection into an independent state. ' ' 
The selectmen and town clerk were instructed to sign the 
petition in behalf of the town. It may fairly be 
inferred that Garland was one of the forty-nine towns 
alluded to by Mr. Williamson as voting for separation. 

Influenced by these petitions from nearly one half of 
the incorporated towns of the district, the Legislature 
of Massachusetts sought a fuller expression of sentiment 
upon the question of separation. In furtherance of this 
purpose, it directed that meetings be held in all the 
towns and plantations in the district, on the 20th of 
May, and that the voice of the legal voters should be 
taken on the following question : ' 'Shall the Legislature- 
be requested to give its consent to the separation of the 
District of Maine from Massachusetts, and the erection 
of said district into a separate state.^" On this question 
the legal voters of Garland voted as follows : For 
separation, twenty-six; against separation, five. While 
the general result in the district showed that a decisive 
majority of those who voted favoi-ed separation, only a 
minority of voters gave in their vote. This result dis- 
appointed the Separationists. Nevertheless, a law was 
passed by the Legislature, prescribing the conditions of 
separation, and directing that the legal voters of the 
towns and plantations should assemble on the first Mon- 
day in September and give their yeas and nays upon the 
following question: "Is it expedient that the District 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 165 

of Maine be separated from Massachusetts and become 
an independents bate?" The result in Garland was: For 
separation, twenty-six ; against separation, eight. 

The general result showed a majority in favor of 
separation, but this majority was much smaller than 
required by the law which governed the proceedings.. 
Thus the measure was, for a time, defeated. 



Change of Place 

Until the year 1816, the meetings for town business 
had been held at private houses, generally at the house 
of Isaac Wheeler, Esq. Religious meetings had been 
held at private houses, or in the awe-inspiring shadows 
of the grand old forest. 

In the year 1816, the town meeting was held in the 
schoolhouse, afterwards known as the Center schoolhouse 
in town. It emerged from clouds of opposition, dis- 
putation and declamation. It was the first schoolhouse 
in town, and having been built for certain special pur- 
poses, other than schools, it was larger than any house 
of the kind in town until the village schoolhouse was 
built thirty-seven years later. 

It was located in a dense forest, at the nominal center 
of the town. To the early inhabitants, the old Center 
schoolhouse never ceased to be an object of interest. 

There they often met to discuss and perfect measures 
for the benefit of themselves and children. There they 
went to deposit the ballot which, though "a weapon 
that comes down as still as snowflakes fall upon the 
sod," was yet a factor in determining whether they 
should be blessed with the kindly influences of intelli- 



166 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

gent and conscientious statesmanship, or cursed with 
malignant and incompetent partisanship. There they 
sent their children to be instructed in the rudiments 
of knowledge that they might be prepared to act well 
their parts in the drama of life. There they met for 
religious conference and worship, ere yet they were 
favored by the regular and more public ministrations of 
the pulpit. There the first settled minister, Rev. Isaac 
Wilkins, having been called by vote of the town, 
labored faithfully for a period of five years to promote 
the moral and spiritual welfare of the people. 



Annual Town Meeting of 1816 

The annual meeting for municipal business in 1816, 
was held March 14, in Garland's first public building, 
the Center schoolhouse, which was still in an unfinished 
condition. The meeting was organized by the choice of 
Ebenezer Greenleaf for moderator, and Moses Gordon, 
town clerk. Josiah Bartlett, Benjamin Gilpatrick and 
Ebenezer Greenleaf were chosen selectmen and assessors. 
Thomas Gilpatrick was chosen treasurer and Philip 
Greeley, collector. His compensation was fixed at three 
and one half per cent. 

Isaac Wheeler, Abner Sanborn and Moses Buzzell 
were chosen superintending school committee. It was 
voted to raise five hundred dollars to build and repair 
highwaj's, three hundred dollars to support schools, one 
hundred and fifty dollars to defray town charges and fif- 
teen dollars to buy powder and balls. It was voted that 
all taxes, except the highway tax, should be paid in 
grain, wheat at one dollar and fifty cents, corn at one 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAIXp: 167 

dollar and twenty-five cents, and rye at one dollar and 
ten cents per bushel. 

The second meeting of 1816 was held on the 12th 
of April for the transaction of some unimportant town 
business. In the afternoon of the same da}' the citizens 
deposited their votes for governor, lieutenant governor, 
senators and councilors. The vote for governor was: 
For Hon. Samuel Dexter, twenty-four; for Hon. John 
Brooks, fifteen. 

In this election Mr. Brooks was elected as the succes- 
sor of Governor Strong. Another town meeting was 
held on April 20th to transact business relative to the 
building of schoolhouses and the making of roads. 



A New County 

To the citizens of Garland and of this section of the 
Province of Maine, the year 1816 was the beginning of 
a new epoch. Until 1816, Garland had been a part of 
Hancock County, a section of countrv extending from 
the Penobscot Ba}' on the south, to the utmost northern 
limits of the State. It embraced territory nearly as 
large as one third of the present State of Maine, and 
larger than the present State of Massachusetts. 

Castine was its shire town, although Bangor had been 
constituted a half shire town j^ears earlier, and a registr}' 
of deeds had been established there, still all court business 
was transacted at Castine, which was so remote from the 
extreme northern settlements of the county that the 
inhabitants of these distant settlements were subjected 
to serious inconvenience when required to attend court. 

A movement had been made a vear earlier for the 



168 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

establishment of a new county, many petitions having 
been sent to the Legislature of Massachusetts in further- 
ance of the object. Garland was one of the towns that 
petitioned. In response to these petitions, the Legis- 
lature of Massachusetts passed an act on February 15th, 
1816, to incorporate the county of Penobscot, which 
provided that it should take effect on the first day of 
April, 1816. Bangor was made the shire town of the 
new county. 

The existence of a new county created the necessity 
for new offices and officers to fill them. With the 
exception of registrar of deeds, these officers were to be 
appointed by the governor. He was to be elected b}^ 
the towns of the new county. The legal voters of 
Garland assembled on the 27th of May and voted as 
follows : 

For John Wilkins, eight votes ; for Charles Rice, 
one vote. 

Mr. Wilkins was elected registrar by an almost unani- 
mous vote. 

The legal voters of Garland assembled at the Center 
schoolhouse on November 4, 1816, to vote for represent- 
ative to Congress. 

Hon. Martin Hinsley received fourteen votes. Hon. 
John Wilson received nine votes. 



The Year Without a Summer 

The year 1816 has been aptly characterized as the 
year without a summer. Several of the preceding sum- 
mers were so cold as to suggest a possible future famine. 
This tendency to frigidity reached its greatest intensity 



HISTOEY OF GARLAND, MAINE 169 

in the summer of 1816. The phenomenal coldness of 
that year was not confined to a small area. It prevailed 
through the United States and Canada and extended to 
Europe, That there were reasons for alarm, especially 
in the new settlements of eastern Maine, already 
impoverished by untoward events extending through 
several years, will be understood by a perusal of the fol- 
lowing graphic account from a reliable source : 

"The year 1816 was known throughout the United 
States and Europe as the coldest ever experienced by any 
person then living. Very few persons now living can 
recollect it. The following is a brief summary of the 
weather during each month of that year: January was 
so mild as to render fires almost unnecessary in parlors. 
February, with the exception of a few days, was like its 
predecessor. March was cold and boisterous during the 
early part of the month. The latter part was mild. 
April began warm but grew colder as the month 
advanced. May was more remarkable for frowns than 
smiles. Buds and fruits were frozen. Ice formed half 
an inch thick. Corn was killed and again planted and 
replanted so long as there was the slightest prospect of 
success. June was the coldest ever known in this lati- 
tude. Frost and ice were common. Almost every green 
thing, including fruit, was destroved. Snow fell to the 
depth of seven inches in Vermont and Maine, three in 
the interior of New York and Massachusetts. There 
were a few warm days in June. It was called a dry 
season. The wind, fierce and cold, blew steadily from 
the north. Mothers knit extra socks and mittens for 
their children in the spring. Wood-piles were renewed. 
Planting and shivering went on together. Farmers 
worked out their taxes on the roads in overcoats and 
mittens. In Vermont, a farmer had driven his sheep to 
pasture some miles away at the usual time. On the 7th 



170 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

of June there was a heav}^ fall of snow. The cold 
being severe, the owner went to look after them. As 
he left the house he said sportively to his wife, 'It 
being June, if I do not return in a reasonable time send 
the neighbors after me.' Night came, the storm had 
increased, and he was still absent. 

"The next morning the neighbors were alarmed and 
started in search of the missing man. On the morning 
of the third day, he was found with his feet badly frozen 
and unable to walk. 

"July was accompanied by frost and ice. On the 5th, 
ice of the thickness of common window-glass was found 
throughout New England, New York and some parts of 
Pennsylvania. Indian corn was nearly all destroyed 
except on elevated lands. August was more cheerless 
than the earlier summer months. Nearly all the corn 
that had escaped thus far was so badly frozen that it was 
cut for fodder. September furnished about two weeks 
of the mildest weather of the season, 

' 'October produced more than its share of cold w^eather. 
November was cold and brought snow and sleighing. In 
marked contrast with the preceding months of 1816, 
December was mild and comfortable. Such is the sum- 
mary of the general weather conditions of the phenome- 
nal year of 1816." 

To us, who are at a remove of eighty years from that 
phenomenal year, the foregoing description may seem to 
have been inspired by a spirit of unrestrained exagger- 
ation, but it is confirmed by the traditions of the experi- 
ence of the early inhabitants of central Maine. 

In his Annals of Bangor, Judge John E. Godfrey 
says: "The season was remarkable for the low state of 
the thermometer. In June the cold was severe. It 
snowed the seventh and eighth. Water froze for several 
nights, and on the 10th, the ice over puddles would bear 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 171 

a man. Great numbers of birds were so benumbed that 
they could be readily taken in the hand, and many 
perished." 

The Rev. Amasa Loring, in his history of Piscataquis 
County, says of the year 1816: "On the 29th and 30th 
days of May, snow fell to the depth of five inches. 
From the sixth to the tenth of June there were frequent 
snow squalls, and every morning the surface of the 
ground was found frozen. Every month dui'ing the sum- 
mer frost was visible. On the sixth of October, three 
inches of snow fell. No corn was raised this year in any 
part of northern New England. Early rye and wheat 
ripened, but were much pinched, and potatoes came in 
light and water}-. " 



Garland in the Cold Year 

The almost total failure of crops in the fateful year of 
1816 put the faith of the inhabitants of Garland in 
their ability to maintain their foothold upon the lands 
where the}- had toiled many a weary year to make homes 
for themselves and their growing families, to a severe 
test. 

Previous to the year 1816 they had been sorely buf- 
feted by adverse circumstances, and now, when they had 
reached the threshold of what seemed a brighter future, 
this disastrous year came to them with crushing force. 
Many of them were carrying a burden of debt incurred 
in the purchase of their lands, which they were braveh' 
striving to pay. 

A typical case was that of Moses Gordon. In the 
year 1815 he had felled ten acres of trees, partly on the 



172 HISTOEY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

land now owned and occupied by his son Albert, and 
partly upon the Murdock place, with the purpose and 
expectation of reducing his debt. 

The conditions of exposure to the sun and soil favored 
an abundant crop. The early spring months had passed, 
and the calendar indicated the advent of the corn-plant- 
ing season, but there was nothing in the atmospheric 
conditions to suggest the presence of that usually joyous 
season ; nothing to inspire courage, confidence or hope. 
Planting was postponed from time to time for the hoped 
for favorable change which failed to come. At length 
in sheer desperation, with the assistance of several 
neighbors, Mr. Gordon commenced the work of planting. 
It was now well along in June, the month in which — 
"If ever come perfect days." But instead of sunshine 
and warmth, there were snow- squalls and frosts almost 
daily. Men were obliged to resume their winter cloth- 
ing. The summer passed, and harvest time came, but it 
brought disappointment instead of corn. 

The value of the entire crop of corn harvested was 
not equal to that of the seed planted. The same dis- 
astrous results came to nearly all the farmers who 
attempted to raise corn. There is a tradition, however, 
that William Godwin raised a crop of corn in 1816, on 
an elevated farm, a little east of the present residence of 
Charles Greeley, formerly known as the Calef or Cram 
farm. Perpetual breezes over the hilltop kept the grow- 
ing corn almost constantly in motion, thus resisting the 
action of the frost, and allowing the crop to grow and 
ripen. 

While the corn crop was virtually a failure in Gar- 
land, crops of wheat, rye and potatoes, were partially 
successful, but wheat and rye were much pinched, and 
potatoes were small and watery. The inhabitants of 
this region were greatly perplexed with the question of a 



HISTORY OF (iARLAND, MAINE 173 

food supply until the crops of 1817 should ripen, if, 
indeed, the unborn year should prove more fruitful than 
the present. 

Forest, lake and stream could be depended on for the 
usual supply of game and fish, but beyond these the 
prospect was not inspiring. But expedients were at 
hand. Mashed potatoes and pumpkins were mixed with 
fiour, corn and rye meal to increase the quantity of 
bread supply. Potatoes and pumpkins in milk was an 
esteemed dish. Clover heads stewed in butter often took 
the place of more nutritious food. Fields and thickets 
were scanned for berries. 



Incidents From the Diary of Stephen A. 

Berry 

In 1816, Stephen A. Berry, then a boy of ten years, 
was living with his parents in New Durham, N. H. The 
hardships of the famil}- are typical of those that were 
common throughout New England. Mr. Berr}' says that 
the years 1815-16-17, constituted a period of privation 
and hardship without a parallel within the memories of 
the oldest inhabitants then living. 

The year 1816 was the most memorable of these. 
On the 7th of June snow fell to the depth of seven 
inches. No corn ripened sufficiently for seed, and as an 
article of food, it was very near an entire failure. 
Wheat was but little used for food. Machinery for 
grinding it was very imperfect, and the methods of pre- 
paring it for the table were very crude. Rye and corn 
meal were much more highly esteemed. 

The crop of rye in 1816, while light, was not an 



174 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

entire failure. Mr. Berry relates an incident of his own 
experience. In the vicinit}' of his home, there lived a 
Mr. Ela, a wealthy farmer, who had raised a large field 
of rye. After the rye had been harvested with great 
care, Mr. Berry, then ten years old, obtained permission 
to glean the scattered heads, and with the assistance of a 
sister, older than himself, entered upon the work with 
zeal and courage. 

At the end of several days' diligent labor, the young 
gleaners bore the gathered heads of rve in triumph to 
their home. Aided by their good mother, they soon 
relieved the heads of their treasures. Breezes from the 
hilltops separated the chaff from the grain. The 
reward of their youthful toil was eight quarts of rye 
which the boy Stephen bore to the mill a mile from 
home, and soon returned with the meal which quickly 
took the form of bread, and the family sat down to a 
"square meal" for the first time in several dajs. 

Mr. Berry says he does not remember whether there 
was other food before the family on that occasion, but 
he does remember that there was bread and a plenty of 
it, and that no achievement of his subsequent life gave 
him more satisfaction than this. 

Later in the season the Berry family arose early one 
morning to find there was not a mouthful of food in the 
larder. The father quickly summoned his two sons : 
Ira, who was afterwards for many years a prominent 
citizen of Portland, and Stephen. The three went 
to the river at a short distance from the house, where 
they unexpectedly found an abundance of fish ready to 
take the bait upon their hooks. 

After fishing for a brief time, a sudden shower of rain 
came upon them, when the fish instantly disappeared in 
the deep water, whereupon Stephen quaintly remarked 
that this must have been done to avoid getting wet. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 175 

The breakfast that followed was characterized by abun- 
dance rather than variety. 



Garland in 1817 

To the inhabitants of Garland, the year 1817 opened 
with gloomy forebodings. The struggle for bread that 
had characterized the year just closed, must of necessity 
be intensified until the harvest of 1817 would, perchance, 
bring relief. 

Each year, following the year 1813 down to that of 
1816, had been more unfruitful than the preceding year. 
This engendered the apprehension that the year to 
follow might be more disastrous to growing crops than 
the year that had just closed. In looking forward, it is 
not strange that the disheartened people indulged in 
serious questionings of the future. Was the sun losing 
its warmth? Would the seasons continue to grow 
colder? Had Providence designed this cold region for 
the habitat of wild animals instead of the home of 
civilization? Would the harvest of the new year bring 
relief? Will the best twelve or fifteen years of our brief 
lives, which have been devoted to the work of making 
homes in this eastern wilderness, years of struggle, 
hardship, privation, and severe toil, count for naught in 
the battle of life? And after all, shall we be compelled 
to abandon all our earthly possessions here and fly from 
the ills we now endure to those we know not of? 

The early months of 1817 were not reassuring. 
January and February were intensely cold. The spring 
months were very chilly. They failed to dispel the 
clouds that had so long hung dark and heavy over the 
people. 



176 HISTORY OF GAELAND, MAINE 



A Cheering Change 

The month of July brought a cheering change to the 
desponding dwellers of this region. The sun resumed 
its wonted power over vegetation. Alternations of sun- 
shine and rain were followed by a remarkable change of 
the growing crops. Autumn made its advent laden 
with an abundant crop of grain. The protracted period 
of despondency now gave place to courage and hope. 

An incident of the spring, summer, and autumn of 
1817 was the presence of an innumerable multitude of 
wild pigeons. They flew through the air in clouds, 
often obscuring the light of the sun. They infested 
fields of grain doing much damage. Although esteemed 
as an article of food, they were caught in such numbers 
that bushels of them were thrown to the hogs. Forty 
to fifty dozen was not an uncommon catch in a single 
day by a single individual. 



Friends in Need 

The early inhabitants of Garland held many of the 
business men of Bangor in grateful remembrance to the 
latest hours of their lives for the kindly forbearance and 
encouragement received at their hands in the time of 
their direful extremity. 

Those of our people whose indebtedness was to be 
paid in farm produce, were generously granted such 
extension of time as their necessities required. If, per- 
chance, any of them had a surplus of grain to turn over 
to their creditors, they were allowed to retain it for their 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 177 

own, or their neighbor's use, until more propitious 
seasons should afford more abundant means of payment. 

Seed was generously offered to those who would 
promise to put it into the ground, to be paid for at the 
convenience of those accepting the offer. Conspicuous 
among these helpful friends was William Emerson, the 
following tribute to whose personal qualities was cut 
from a Bangor paper: 

"Mr. Emerson gained a fine reputation in those days 
(1816 and 1817) by his tender and benevolent treatment 
of the poor and, in fact, of all who needed his assistance. 
He never took advantage of sudden rises in prices of 
articles of food or clothing. He took pains to secure a 
plenty of seed for the farmers, at prices, and on terms 
of credit that suited their circumstances, and in many 
ways tried to lessen the burdens of his less fortunate or 
less thoughtful neighbors. ' ' 

This sketch of the considerate and unselfish acts of 
Mr. Emerson harmonizes with traditions from the early 
inhabitants of Garland, and it is fitting that a record of 
such acts should find a place in the annals of the town 
of Garland. 



The Annual Meeting of 1817 

The annual town meeting of 1817 was held March 19 
at the Center schoolhouse. Josiah Bartlett was chosen 
moderator, and Isaac Wheeler, town clerk. Isaac 
Wheeler, Philip Greeley and Benjamin Gilpatrick were 
chosen selectmen and assessors. The selectmen were 
chosen superintending school committee. Thomas 
Gilpatrick, Jr., was chosen treasurer, and Philip 



178 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

Greeley, collector of taxes, whose compensation was 
fixed at three and three fourths per cent. 

It was voted to raise one hundred and seventy-five 
dollars for the support of schools ; eight hundred dollars 
to make and repair highways, and one hundred and fifty 
dollars to defray town charges. At the same meeting, 
the town voted to use the money that had been voted 
for schools to defray town charges. This vote left the 
schools without appropriation. At a subsequent meet- 
ing, it was voted that one hundred and fifty dollars of 
the sum voted for town charges, at the previous meeting, 
should be expended for schools. The people of the town 
were still working at cross purposes respecting school 
districts and schools. 

A second town meeting was held on April 7th at the 
Center schoolhouse. The main object of this meeting 
was the consideration of matters pertaining to roads. 
It was voted to allow twelve and one half cents per hour 
for the labor of men and oxen, and for the use of plows, 
and eight cents for carts while in use. 



The First County Road 

The year 1817 made a new epoch in the history of 
roads. Heretofore roads had been located and built by 
the town almost exclusiveh* with reference to the require- 
ments and convenience of its own citizens. The time 
had now come when its necessities and convenience must, 
to a certain extent, be considered with reference to its 
relation to other towns. A county road extending 
from Bangor to the present county of Piscataquis, 
through the towns of Glenburn, Kenduskeag, Corinth, 



HISTORY OF CARLAND, MAINK 179 

Garland and Sangerville, towards Moosehead Lake, had 
been projected. This road is now known as "the old 
County road"" and the section of it within the limits 
of Garland was about seven miles in length. 

At its second town meeting of 1817, held April 7th, 
the town voted to expend three hundred dollars of the 
eight hundred dollars that had been voted at the annual 
meeting upon the section of the county road lietween 
Church's mills and the south line of the town. It also 
voted to allow for the travel of men and oxen to and 
from their work, on the abo\e named section, six cents 
per mile. This allowance was limited to men living 
north of Church's mills, while the allowance to laborers 
south of the mills was four cents per mile. 

At a town meeting held on the 7th of October, 1817, 
it was \ oted that every citizen of Garland who pays a 
poll tax should work one day on the county road north 
of the late residence of Enoch Jackman. The site of 
this residence was near the place where the original 
county road intersected the present county road to 
Sangerville, a little north of the present residence of 
Henry Merrill. 

A year later the town voted to raise twelve hundred 
dollars to build and repair highways, and that one half 
this sum should be expended on the county road. The 
building of the first county road was a severe burden 
upon the inhabitants of the town. 



Ballot for Governor in 1817 

On April 7th, the town balloted for governor with 
result as follows: Hon. John Brooks received fourteen 
votes; Hon. Henry Dearborn received sixteen votes. 



180 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

Garland in 1818 

The annual meeting of 1818 was held March 14th. 
The officers chosen were Isaac Wheeler, Esq., town 
clerk; Benjamin Gilpatrick, John Trefethen and Abner 
Sanborn, selectmen and assessors; Ezekiel Straw, treas- 
urer; Philip Greele}^, collector of taxes, whose compen- 
sation was fixed at two and three fourths per cent. 
Ezekiel Straw, Edward Fifield and John Trefethen were 
chosen superintending school committee. 

On the 6th day of April, a town meeting was held 
for the transaction of important business which had been 
omitted at the annual town meeting. No money had 
been voted at this meeting for any purpose. It may 
safely be assumed that the omission was due to a bitter 
division of sentiment upon questions pertaining to 
schools and roads. At the meeting of April 6th, the 
town voted to raise twelve hundred dollars to make and 
repair highways, one half of this sum to be expended 
on the county road, and the balance on other roads of 
the town. 

It was voted to raise three hundred dollars for the 
support of schools, one hundred dollars for the support 
of the poor, twenty-three dollars to purchase powder 
(presumably to make a noise on muster day) and seventy- 
five dollars to defray town charges. There is no record 
of the raising of money for the support of the poor 
until the year 1818. 

Until this year (1818) it had been the policy of the 
town to have all taxes, except the road tax, paid in 
grain at prices fixed each year by vote. This year it was 
voted that taxes, except the road tax, should be paid 
one half in money and one half in grain, wheat at one 
dollar and fifty cents, rye at one dollar per bushel, pro- 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 181 

vided that these grains should be delivered to the treas- 
urer by the first day of February, 1819, otherwise the 
whole tax, except the road tax, must be paid in monev. 



The Town's Treasury Boxes 

When in 1850, our late citizen, Ezekiel Straw, who 
had been treasurer of the town in 1818, transferred his 
farm to George A. Brann, the latter found grain bins in 
an out-building which in size were greatly dispropor- 
tionate to the requirements of the farm. Asking an 
explanation of the former owner, he was informed that 
they had been provided for storing the town's grain 
received in payment of taxes. The acceptance of grain 
by the town in payment of taxes will explain the large 
percentage paid from year to year for the collection of 
taxes. 



Vote for Governor in 1818 

The legal voters of Garland balloted for governor on 
April 6, with result as follows: For Hon. Benjamin 
Crowningshield, Anti Federalist, nineteen votes; for 
Hon. John Brooks, Federalist, twelve votes. 

A town meeting, held November 2, 1818, only em- 
phasized the bitter disagreements upon the question of 
schoolhouses. 



182 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 



The Ohio Fever 

The impoverished condition of many of the citizens of 
the Province of Maine, superinduced by the adverse 
effects of the War of 1812, and intensified by the failure 
of crops in 1816, was followed by an emigration from 
the State to the West, estimated at from ten to fifteen 
thousand people. This demoralized sentiment was called 
the ' 'Ohio fever. ' ' While some of the towns of the 
Province suffered severely by the loss of citizens from 
this cause, the loss to Garland was slight. 



A Favorable Season 

In contrast with several seasons preceding that of 
1817, the year 1818 was characterized by a summer 
remarkably favorable for the growth of vegetation. 
The crops of grain were abundant. The "Ohio fever" 
had spent its force, and the tide of emigration had begun 
to set towards Maine. 



A Revival of the Military Spirit 

The autumn of 1818 witnessed a military gathering 
at Bangor which for enthusiastic interest has never, in 
time of peace, had a parallel in Penobscot County. The 
mortification engendered by the feeble opposition to the 
passage of the British ships and troops past Hampden to 
Bangor towards the close of the War of 1812, and the 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 183 

tame surrender of those places had rankled in the bosoms 
of the inhabitants of Penobscot vallc}'. 

Young, ambitious, and rising military officers of the 
time, who had not participated in the Hampden affair, 
believed that special efforts to improve the morals of the 
militia were imperatively demanded. Arrangements for 
a muster of the troops in large numbers at Bangor 
followed. 

The ardor of the younger officers, conspicuous among 
whom was Colonel Isaac Hodsdon of Corinth, in evoking 
the necessary enthusiasm from the people, was commen- 
surate with the importance of the end in view. 

The date fixed for the proposed military assemblage 
was September 21st. At length the impatiently awaited 
da}' dawned. At an early hour the third, fourth, and 
fifth regiments of the first brigade, embracing thirty 
companies, took the places assigned them on the ample 
field selected for the review. In the absence of the 
Brigadier General, the command devolved on Colonel 
Hodsdon. The large cavalcade of officers, dressed in gay 
uniforms, on spirited horses, the stirring music, waving 
flags, rattle of musketry, roar of cannon, and the evolu- 
tions of the soldiery, drew forth the wildest enthusiasm 
from the crowds of people in attendance. 

The interest of the occasion was greatly enhanced by 
the presence of Governor Brooks, who reviewed the 
troops and expressed his warm approval of the success 
of this notable demonstration. The Garland company 
of militia was present under the command of Captain 
Philip Greeley. 



184 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

The First Post-Office 

Previous to the year 1818, through a period of six- 
teen years, the nearest post-office had been at Bangor 
which was twenty-five miles awa}'. During that period 
mail matter for the inhabitants of Garland was sent 
from the Bangor office by any reliable person of the 
town, who happened to be in Bangor, and left with some 
resident of Garland, who esteemed it a pleasure to distrib- 
ute it to the scattered homes as opportunity occurred. 

A mail route extending from Bangor, through Gar- 
land, to Skowhegan having been established, a post- 
office was located at the house of William Godwin, who 
resided on the road to Dexter, opposite the site of 
Maple Grove Cemetery, in the year 1818, and Mr. 
Godwin was appointed postmaster. A Mr. Hayden of 
Skowhegan was the first mail-carrier over this route. 
His stopping place at the end of the first day's travel 
from Bangor was at Isaac Hopland's, where Mark C. 
Jennings now resides. 

The mail was carried on horseback for the first few 
years. This service involved hardship and, not infre- 
quently, serious danger. During the spring and 
autumnal freshets, the corduroy bridges over low and 
swampy lands were often transformed into floating 
bridges of a dangerous character. 

Bridges over small streams would sometimes float away 
in the interim between trips. Mr. Hayden 's contract 
expired in 1822. He was followed, as contractor, by 
Colin Campbell of Corinth, and Calvin Osgood, after- 
wards a citizen of Garland, to carry the mail. 

Mr. Eddy, who commenced service as mail-carrier in 
1822, communicates the following information respect- 
ing the circuit he traveled to get the mail to the offices 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 185 

upon his route. Starting from Bangor, he passed 
through the present towns of Glenburn, Kenduskeag, 
West Corinth, Exeter, Garland, Dexter, Ripley, Har- 
mony, Athens and Cornville, to the objective point, 
Skowhegan. 

On his return, he passed through the towns of 
Canaan, Pittsfield, Hartland, St. Albans, Palmyra, 
Newport, Etna, Carmel and Hampden, to Bangor. 
Some sections of the return route from Skowhegan must 
have been of a somewhat zigzag character. 

Mr. Eddy gives the names of the postmasters upon 
his route in 1822 as follows: Mark Trafton at Bangor, 
Moses Hodsdon at Kenduskeag, Richard Palmer at West 
Corinth, Reuben Bartlett at Garland, Dr. Gilman 
Burleigh at Dexter, John Todd at Ripley, Mr. Bartlett 
at Harmony, John Ware at Athens, Thomas Smith at 
Cornville, John Wyman at Skowhegan, Mr. Tuttle at 
Canaan, Mr. Foss at St. Albans, now Hartland, Dr. 
French at North St. Albans, William Lancey at Pal- 
myra, Mr. Sanger at Newport, Hollis Friend at Etna, 
Deacon Ruggles at Carmel, Mr. Stetson at Hampden 
Corner and Mr. Vose at Hampden Upper Corner. 

The adventurous mail-carriers had their regular stop- 
ping places where they rested at night, except when 
delayed by stress of weather, bad condition of roads, 
or accident, when they stopped wherever night overtook 
them. 

At the close of Mr. Campbell's term of service, in 
1826, the roads had been so much improved as to admit 
of the use of a two-horse covered carriage for carrying 
the mail and passengers. This was a step forward in 
the march of improvement which was highly pleasing to 
the early inhabitants. Lawrence Greene of Dexter now 
began to carry the mail, and passengers, from Bangor to 
Dexter. 



186 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

Among Mr. Greene's passengers there would appear 
occasionally one or more of the dusky inhabitants of 
Indian Old Town. It was a great marvel to the small 
boy, who cast a frightened look into the carriage, that 
Mr. Greene should dare to carry representatives of a 
race whose history had been so long and closely associated 
with the tomahawk and scalping-knife. 

About the year 1830 the mail-route was changed. 
Diverging from the original route at Corinth, it ran by 
way of Exeter Mills and Exeter Corner to Dexter. 
From this time onward. Garland was supplied with mail 
matter from the Exeter Corner office. This change was 
followed by serious inconvenience to the residents of 
Garland for many years. If the mail-carrier made his 
appearance at the Garland office on the day he was due, 
he regarded himself at liberty to fix the hour to suit his 
own convenience. He was sometimes a day late as a 
matter of convenience to himself. 

On one such occasion the mail had been changed 
and the carrier had started along, when the postmaster, 
Dr. Joseph Springall, rushed out into the street, bare- 
headed, as if some sudden thought had inspired the 
movement, and with characteristic humor exclaimed— 
"Halloo, young man! Say, when are you coming this 
way again.''" 



Garland in 1819 

The annual meeting of 1819 was held on March 16. 
The officers chosen were Philip Greeley, moderator; 
Isaac Wheeler, clerk ; Isaac Wheeler, Josiah Bartlett 
and Ezekiel Straw, selectmen and assessors ; Isaac 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 187 

Wheeler, Moses Buswell and Josiah Bartlett, superin- 
tending school committee; John Chandler, collector, 
with a compensation of one per cent, , and Ezekiel Straw, 
treasurer. 

The town voted to raise four hundred dollars for 
schools ; one thousand dollars to build and repair roads, 
and eleven dollars and fifty cents to erect guide-boards. 
A second town meeting was held on April 5th, to act 
upon various matters of business, but nothing of impor- 
tance resulted. 

On the same day a vote for governor was taken when 
Hon. John Brooks, Federalist, received thirteen votes; 
Hon. Benj. Crowningshield, Democrat, received nineteen 
votes. 

A third town meeting was held on April 17, when the 
town voted that one half of the sum voted at the annual 
meeting for support of schools, also the seventy-five dol- 
lars voted for town charges, might be paid in wheat at 
one dollar and fifty cents, corn at one dollar and twent}^- 
five cents, and rj^e at one dollar per bushel, if delivered 
to the treasurer by the first day of February. 

The most severe burden resting upon the early inhabi- 
tants of Garland was the construction and repair of 
roads. The original withholding of every alternate 
range of land from sale, had necessitated a large mileage 
of roads. The incoming of new settlers from year to 
year increased the burden of road building. In addition 
to roads for local convenience, a county road running 
obliquely across the town, which had been established in 
1817, had increased the burden of road building. 

In the years of 1817 and 1818, the town had taxed its 
inhabitants to the extent of their ability to pay, towards 
the construction of the county road. But the public 
was not satisfied with the progress made, and the town 
was indicted. A fourth town meeting was held on the 



188 HisToay of garland, maine 

4th of May to consider the method of dealing with the 
indictment, when it was voted that four hundred dollars 
of the one thousand dollars, raised at the annual meeting 
for building and repairing roads, should be expended on 
the county road, and that three hundred dollars, in 
addition, should be raised by assessment. 

John S. Haskell was appointed agent to answer to the 
indictment upon the road. Philip Greeley and William 
Godwin were appointed to superintend the labor upon 
this road. 

On the 26th of July the legal voters of Garland 
assembled to act upon the following question: "Is it 
expedient that the District of Maine shall become a 
separate and independent State on the terms and con- 
ditions of an Act entitled an Act I'elating to the Sepa- 
ration of the District of Maine from Massachusetts 
proper, and forming the same into an independent 
State.''" The number of votes cast was twenty-four 
which were all in favor of separation. In the State the 
majority in favor of separation was very large. 

The act submitting the question of separation to the 
people of the Province of Maine, provided that if a 
majority of fifteen hundred should be given for separa- 
tion, the Governor was to make proclamation of the 
result on, or after, the fourth Monday of August, 1819. 
This Act also provided that each corporate town should 
be empowered to send at least one delegate to a conven- 
tion to be held in Portland, on the second Monday in 
October, to form a constitution. 

The legal voters of Garland assembled on the 20th 
day of September to choose a delegate to the constitu- 
tional convention with result as follows : Amos Gordon 
received eighteen votes; Abner Sanborn received ten 
votes ; Moses Buswell received five votes. 

At the appointed time Mr. Goi-don was found in his 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 189 

seat at the convention. The legal voters of Garland 
were called together on the 6th day of December for 
the purpose of expressing their approbation or disap- 
probation of the constitution emanating from the con- 
vention. The votes, fifteen in number, were all in favor 
of the constitution as reported from the convention. 
An application in due form was made to Congress, for 
the admission of Maine to the Union, and on the third 
day of March, 1820, it was admitted to the Union by 
an act to take effect March 15, 1820. 

From this date, the Province of Maine, which, in the 
language of Governor Brooks, had been bone of the 
bone and flesh of the flesh of the Commonwealth of 
Massachusetts, became an independent State. Whatever 
Maine has been in the past, whatever she is now, or 
whatever she may become, it is certain that no state can 
boast of a more illustrious or better parentage than 
Maine. 

An incident of the constitutional convention was a 
somewhat sharp discussion of the question, "Shall the 
new state be styled the State of Maine or the Common- 
wealth of Maine. f"' Fortunately, the good sense of the 
convention led to the shorter and simpler designation. 



Garland From 1810 to 1820 

The population in the second decade increased but 
shghtly. In 1810 it was 236. Ten years later, it was 
275, an increase of only 39. While the roads had been 
somewhat extended and improved, and school facilities 
somewhat enlarged, the condition of the average family 
had not improved. The poor had been growing poorer, 



190 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

and the debts of the more independent had been increas- 
ing. A few famihes had moved into toAvn, a larger 
number had moved away. 

Among those who had cast their fortune in the town 
in the second decade was the family of Plynn Clark, which 
settled upon the place now owned by Leonard Hathaway. 
Simon Morgan, from Elicinstown, moved into town in 
1811 or 1812, and occupied the place vacated by Mr. 
Griffin, the first tanner, which was located at the foot of 
the slope west of the residence of David Dearborn. 
The Rev. John Sawyer came into the township as a mis- 
sionary before its incorporation, and purchased the lot 
of land on the hill where D. F. Patten resides, and 
built a house about the year 1813, where he lived with 
his family for several years. 

David Crowell lived for a short time on the place a 
little west of the schoolhouse, in District No. 7, now 
owned by David Allen. He was afterwards a well known 
citizen of Exeter. He left Garland about the year 
1818. 

Philip E. Badger moved into West Garland in 1818, 
or a year later, and occupied the place where the 
Lawrence family afterwards resided for many years. 
Ellery Stone is now the owner of the same place. 



Families Who Moved Away During the 
Second Decade 

Nathan Merrill, the carpenter and spinning-wheel 
maker, left Garland in 1810 or 1811, and took up resi- 
dence in Charleston in 1811. The families of William 
Dustin, John Grant, Andrew Kimball, William Sargent, 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 191 

James McLure and William Church, left the town in 
the period including the years of 1814-15-16 and 17. 
Most of these families emigrated to Ohio, allured thither 
by glowing descriptions of the productiveness of the soil 
of that state. 

Many of these families suffered keenly the discomforts 
of homesickness but, alas, they were too poor to return. 
An emigrant to Ohio from Exeter wrote to a friend he 
had left behind that his wife had shed tears of home- 
sickness enough to grind a bushel of wet corn. 

While extravagant descriptions of the advantages of 
western life promoted emigration thereto, repellent 
influences here contributed to the same result. In addi- 
tion to the ordinary hardships of pioneer life, the people 
of these eastern towns had been subjected to extraordi- 
naiy hardships that followed in the wake of the War of 
1812. The interruption of commerce by the Embargo 
Act had been a severe blow to the whole country. Near 
the close of the war, navigation between Boston and 
Bangor had been suspended. Goods from the former to 
the latter place were hauled by ox-teams. 

Our citizen, William Stone, is the possessor of an 
axle-tree that was a part of a wagon that had been used 
in the transportation of goods from Boston to Bangor. 
Another citizen, the late Captain John Jackman, assisted 
in forging this axle-tree. 

The war had closed in 1814, but scarcely had the 
blessings of peace dawned upon the inhabitants, when 
the cold seasons of 1814-15 intervened to cut off the 
food supply. Causes other than those that have been 
mentioned tended to the decrease of population. There 
are in almost every community, families who are the 
victims of an everpresent desire for change of place. 
Wherever they are, they long to be somewhere else. 
This longing for change is contagious, sometimes infect- 



192 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

ing whole neighborhoods. Families are sometimes influ- 
enced to a change of residence by an existing special 
cause. 

The emigration of Enos Quimby, one of the early 
settlers, from Garland, was due to a special cause. The 
locality of his home was infested by innumerable swarms 
of mosquitoes at certain seasons. They rushed into his 
unprotected dwelling in clouds. The dire discord of 
their music coupled with their thirst for blood, disturbed 
the peace of mind of Mrs. Quimby by day, and her 
dreams by night. Patiently enduring the annoyance 
until patience ceased to be a virtue, she declared that 
she could not and would not submit to it longer. She 
carried her point, and the family sought a new home in 
another locality. It was a fine illustration of the force 
of a woman's will as described in an old couplet — 

"When she will she will you may depend on't, 
When she won't she won't and that's the end on't." 

It must not be inferred however that Mrs. Quimby 
lacked courage to meet the ordinary discomforts of 
pioneer life. These she could laugh at. The mosquito 
scourge was quite another thing. It is said that pas- 
sengers are sometimes driven from boats on the lower 
Mississippi by the swarms of voracious mosquitoes that 
infest its banks ; that the boldest rider upon the fastest 
horse dares not in the month of June encounter these 
blood-thirsty pests on the rank and fertile prairies of 
northern Minnesota. They have been known to demor- 
alize brigades of soldiers on the march from point to 
point. 

Maine's former historian, Mr. Williamson, estimated 
that Maine lost from ten thousand to fifteen thousand 
inhabitants in consequence of the War of 1812, and the 
cold seasons of 1814-15 and 1816. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 193 

Garland in 1820 

The annual meeting of 1820 was held on the 23d day 
of March. The warrant calling this meeting was the 
last issued in the name of the Commonwealth of Massa- 
chusetts. The following officers were elected : Philip 
Greeley, moderator ; Isaac Wheeler, clerk ; Isaac 
Wheeler, Josiah Bartlett, and Ezekiel Straw, selectmen 
and assessors; Ezekiel Straw, treasurer, and James J. 
Chandler, collector of taxes, whose compensation was 
fixed at two and one fourth per cent. 

It was voted to raise one thousand dollars for making 
and repairing highways, and that for men, oxen, and 
plows, twelve and one half cents should be allowed per 
hour, until the first of October. It was voted to raise 
two hundred dollars for making paths in winter, and to 
allow the same per hour for the labor of men and oxen 
as in summer. 

The town voted that taxes assessed for support of 
schools and for town charges, may be paid in wheat at 
nine shillings, or in corn or rye at six shillings per 
bushel, if delivered to the treasurer by the 20th day of 
January, but if not delivered at that time, must be paid 
in money. 

On the 3d of April, 1820, the legal voters were 
called together to vote for governor and other officers. 
All previous calls had been issued in the name of the 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This, and all subse- 
quent calls, have been issued in the name of the State 
of Maine which, if less pretentious than the high 
sounding title by which they had been called to the 
discharge of their political duties, it had the merit of 
being more compact, more convenient, and more in 
harmony with republican simplicity. 



194 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

In the convention at Portland a year earlier, to frame 
a constitution for the new State, the committee which 
had been appointed to consider the question of title, 
reported in favor of calling it the Commonwealth of 
Maine. Many of the members believed that the handle 
was disproportionate to the size of the pitcher ; that the 
prefix was too ponderous. After a somewhat sharp dis- 
cussion, a member moved the word "commonwealth" be 
stricken out. The motion was carried by a vote of 119 
to 113. 

On the following day, at the close of a protracted dis- 
cussion, an ordinance was passed providing that the State 
should be known by the style and title of the State of 
Maine. Thus fortunately, for coming generations, the 
word state took the place of the ponderous prefix, com- 
monwealth. 

On the 3d day of April, 1820, the legal voters of 
Garland assembled to cast their votes for governor of 
the new State, for the first time, with the following 
result: William King, Democrat, received twenty votes; 
Ruel Williams, Democrat, received six votes; Albion K. 
Paris, Democrat, received three votes; Moses Buswell 
received one vote. 

Mr. King's vote in the State was twenty-one thousand 
and eighty-three, against one thousand eight hundred 
and three for all other candidates. His election had 
long been predicted on account of his ability and popu- 
larity as a man. Mr. Williams was a man of decided 
ability, and highly esteemed for liberality in matters of 
public importance. He was afterwards elected to the 
Senate of the United States. Mr. Paris was highly 
esteemed for his excellent qualities. He was the second 
governor elected by the people, although he was preceded 
by two acting governors. 

On the day of the gubernatorial election, the legal 



HISTORY OF GARI-AND, MAINE 195 

voters of Garland deposited their votes for representa- 
tive to the State Legislature with result as follows: 
Cornelius Coolidge of Dexter received seventeen votes; 
Amos Gordon of Garland received eleven votes; Joseph 
Garland of Garland received one vote. 

Some town business was transacted on the same day, 
April 3d, 1820. Reuben Bartlett, John Chandler and 
John Trefethen were appointed to select and purchase 
one acre of land suitable for a cemetery. This was the 
first action of the town looking to a common burial 
place for the dead. Previous to this date it had been 
the custom of families to bury relatives on their own 
premises. 

Thei'e having been no choice of representative to the 
Legislature at the first trial, the legal voters assembled 
on April 13th for a second trial, with result as follows: 
Captain Joseph Kelsey of Guilford received seven votes; 
Seba French of Dexter received five votes; Cornelius 
Coolidge of Dexter received eleven votes. 

At that time the representative class embraced the 
towns of Dexter, Garland, Guilford, Sangerville and 
Plantation Number Three in the sixth range. 



A New Epoch 

The year 1820 opened a new epoch in the history of 
Maine. It had hitherto been a dependency of the 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Now it had assumed 
the character of an independent state. The tide of 
emigration had been setting from the State. It had 
now turned this way. In common with other towns, the 
town of Garland shared in the stimulating influences of 



196 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

returning prosperity. Among the accessions to its 
population was the famih^ of Reuben Bartlett from 
Nottingham, N. H. 

Mr. Bartlett purchased the village mill property of 
Mr. Church, which included a saw and grist-mill. He 
moved his family into a small house a few rods west of 
the present saw-mill which had been built by his prede- 
cessor, Mr. Church. Five or six years later he built 
the two-stor}'^ house now owned by C. F. Osgood, where 
he lived until his death in 1835. 

The coming of the True family from Deerfield, N. H. , 
occurred in 1820. This family embraced the father and 
mother, Joseph True and wife, two sons, Abram True 
and Joseph, Jr. , and several daughters. Mr. True moved 
into the house built by James McCluer on the place 
now owned by David Allen, where he lived several years. 

About the year 1827 he moved into the house built 
by his son, Joseph True, Jr., at the center of the town, 
now owned by James Stone. Abram True moved his 
family into the house of a Mrs. Burton, which was located 
on a site at the foot of the hill below the present resi- 
dence of Mrs. Charles E. Merriam. He afterwards built 
and occupied a house near the residence of the writer. 

Joseph True, Jr., gives the following account of the 
journey of his father's family to Maine. Joseph was at 
that time a resolute boy of nineteen years. On the 
same day that the otiier members of the family took 
passage on a sailing vessel at Portsmouth, N. H., he 
started on horseback and traveled solitary and alone on 
his way to Garland. During his six days' ride no inci- 
dent intervened to relieve the monotony of the journey. 
But, as showing that the early settlers of western 
Penobscot were largely from New Hampshire, he passed 
four of the five nights of his journey with families who 
had emigrated from his own school-district in Deerfield. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 197 



Garland in 1821 

The legal voters of Garland assembled on the 22d of 
January, 1821, "to see if the town will allow the inhab- 
itants to pay their taxes in grain after the 20th of 
February instant." Upon this question it was voted 
that the treasurer should receive grain in payment for 
taxes until the 15th day of February next. It was also 
voted to have the highway taxes for 1820 made agree- 
ably to the Constitution of Maine. The call for this 
action is not quite apparent. 

The annual meeting of 1821 was held on April 4th. 
Philip Greeley was chosen moderator; Reuben Bartlett, 
town clerk; Isaac Wheeler, Philip Greeley and Reuben 
Bartlett, selectmen and assessors; Ezekiel Straw, treas- 
urer, and Isaac Wheeler, Reuben Bartlett and Philip 
Greeley, superintending school committee. 

It was voted to raise twelve hundred dollars to build 
and repair highways, four hundred dollars for the sup- 
port of schools, fifty-five dollars to pay arrearages, and 
fifty dollars for town expenses. It was voted that the 
road tax should be paid in labor, and other taxes in 
grain ; wheat at nine shillings, and corn and rye at six 
shillings per bushel each. John M. Fifield was chosen 
collector of taxes, and a compensation of nine mills per 
dollar voted for the service. 

The legal voters of Garland assembled on the 10th 
of September to vote for governor and other State 
officers. For governor, Albion K. Parris received forty 
votes; Joshua Wingate received five votes; Isaac Case 
received one vote. 

For representative to the Legislature, Daniel Wilkins 
of Charleston received thirty-five votes ; Cornelius 
Coolidge of Dexter received ten votes. 



198 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

Action of the Town Relating to Lots of Land 
Reserved for Public Purposes 

In the resolve of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 
granting the township now known as Garland to 
Williams College, three lots of land of three hundred 
and twenty acres each were reserved for public purposes, 
to wit: one lot for the use of schools, one lot for the 
first settled minister, his heirs and assigns, and one lot 
for the use of the ministry. In the conveyance of the 
township by the college to the men known as the origi- 
nal proprietors the same reservations were made. The 
first action of the town with reference to the reserved 
lots was at a meeting on September 10, 1821, when 
Isaac Wheeler, Jeremiah Flanders, Philip Greeley, 
William Godwin and John Chandler, were appointed a 
committee to examine the reserved lots, and determine 
which should be reserved for the benefit of schools, which 
for the first settled minister, and which for the ministry. 

Another meeting was held on October 8th. The 
records fail to show that there was any report from the 
committee appointed at the previous meeting. At the 
meeting of October 8th, the following articles were 
presented for consideration : 

"To see if the town will make provision for the 
settlement of Elder Robinson, or any other person, as a 
public preacher of the gospel in this town. It was 
voted that so much of this article as relates to Elder 
Robinson be passed over, and that a committee be 
appointed to invite some person to preach in town on 
trial. It was also voted that a man who shall be accept- 
able to the town as a public teacher of morality, piety 
and religion, shall receive one hundred acres of the pub- 
lic land," Isaac Wheeler, Reuben Bartlett, Joseph 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 199 

Garland, John S. Haskell and Thomas S. Tyler were 
appointed a committee to execute the purposes of this 
vote. 



Number of Families in What is Now Garland 
Milage in 1821 

Our well-remembered citizen, the late David 
Fogg, who came to Garland in 1821, and became a 
member for the time being of the family of his brother- 
in-law, Abraham True, is authority for the state- 
ment that at the date of his coming, 1821, there were 
only five families within the limits of what now is Gar- 
land village. These were the families of a Mrs. Burton, 
Abraham True, Reuben Bartlett, Dr. Moses Buswell 
and Isaac Wheeler, Esq. The True and Burton fami- 
lies lived together in a house at the foot of the hill 
below the present residence of Mrs. Charles E. Merriam. 
The remains of an old cellar indicate the site of the 
house. 

Reuben Bartlett lived in a little house on the brow 
near the present village saw-mill which had been built 
a few years earlier. Doctor Buswell lived in a house 
near the center of the village in proximity to the 
site of the present residence of Elmer Hill. 

Isaac Wheeler, Esq., lived in a house on the site of 
the residence of the late William Foss, now the home of 
F. D. Wood. The post-office in 1821 was at the resi- 
dence of Reuben Bartlett, now owned by C. F. Osgood. 
The mail which was received once each week was brought 
on horseback in summer, and in a pung in winter. 

Outside the limits of the village, several men estab- 



200 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

lished homes in the town in 1821. Among these were 
Jacob Greeley, who built on the hill a little way north 
of the schoolhouse in District No. 1 (Dearborn). 

Benjamin Pressey established a home within the limits 
of the present school District No. 3, where the late B. 
L. Trundy resided. Samuel Greeley, afterwards a well- 
known citizen, emigrated from Salisbury, N. H. , and 
lived in the house vacated by Joseph Garland, the first 
citizen of the town, about this time. 

The late Jeremiah Ladd gave the following account of 
the coming of the Ladd family to Garland. His father. 
Captain Daniel Ladd, a native of Lee, N. H. , emigrated 
to Garland in 1821. He first lived on the William 
Blaisdell place, then upon the place now occupied by 
James L. Rideout. Li 1823 he bought the farm for- 
merly the residence of Rev. A. P. Andrews, where he 
built a small house. The carpenter's work upon this 
house was done by the late Joseph Prescott, who had 
then just come to the town, and a Mr. Avery. Three 
or four years later, he bought the Joseph Saunders place, 
near the hill known as High Cut, afterwards known as 
the Emerson place. He then purchased land adjoining 
the Emerson place and built on it. 

His next move was to the place now owned by Charles 
H. Brown. Captain Ladd came into the town over the 
old county road. The first building he passed after 
entering the town was a mechanic's shop, located near 
the late residence of Story Jones, now owned by Aaron 
Knight, and which was owned by two brothers of the 
name of Davis. 

The second building passed was a house nearly oppo- 
site the present residence of Glenn Morgan. There had 
been other families between this house and the village 
which had moved away. Captain Ladd found the road 
that led into town almost impassable. The swamps and 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 201 

wet places wei'e spanned by logs placed across the road 
side by side, known as corduroy road. 

A ride over this kind of road was tiresome to passers 
over it, and wearing to carriages. 



Garland in 1822 

At the annual meeting of 1822, held April 3d, Philip 
Greeley was chosen moderator; Reuben Bartlett, town 
clerk; Isaac Wheeler, Reuben Bartlett and Ezekiel 
Straw, selectmen and assessors; Isaac Wheeler, Reuben 
Bartlett and Ezekiel Straw, superintending school com- 
mittee. 

It was voted to raise three hundred dollars for the 
support of schools, twelve hundred dollars to build and 
repair highways, one hundred dollars to repair school- 
houses, seventy-five dollars to pay town charges, twenty 
dollars to buy powder, and that the taxes should be paid 
in wheat at one dollar and twenty-five cents or in corn or 
rye at eighty-four cents per bushel, the grain to be deliv- 
ered to the treasurer by the first day of February. 

On September 9, the legal voters assembled to indi- 
cate their choice for governor and other officers, when 
Albion K. Parris received thirty-three votes; Ezekiel 
Whitman received twenty-three votes; Philip Greeley 
received one vote. 

For representative to the Legislature, Winthrop 
Chapman of Exeter received twenty-three votes; Daniel 
Wilkins of Charleston received fourteen votes. 

Mr. Wilkins was the successful candidate in the dis- 
trict. On the same day the town voted to assist one of 
its worthy citizens, who had come to a condition where 



202 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

assistance was needed, to the amount of fifty dollars 
This is the earliest record of assistance to the poor. 
John Hayes collected the taxes this year for five mills 
per dollar. 



Newcomers in 1822 

Ansel Field of Paris, Maine, took up his residence in 
Garland in 1822, and purchased land on the old county 
road, about one mile south of the village, where he 
erected buildings and lived. Mr. field and his wife 
united with the Congregational church. At the end of 
about fifteen years he returned to Paris. The farm he 
left was purchased by the friends of the Rev. John 
Sawyer. The venerable clergyman spent the last years 
of his eventful life in the town where he had been instru- 
mental in the organization of the third Congregational 
church within the present limits of Penobscot County. 
The farm where he lived is now owned by Glenn Morgan. 

George R. Coffin came to Garland as early as 1822, 
and established a home on lot two, range five, where he 
lived for many years. This farm, once owned by Deacon 
L. M. Rideout, is now in the possession of Galen S. 
Burrilh 

Joseph Prescott and Jeremiah Avery came to the town 
in 1822 to ply their trade as carpenters. Mr. Avery 
remained in town only a short time. Mr. Prescott 
bought of Joseph Sargent a part of lot four, range four, 
where he made a home for his family and lived until his 
death in 1849. 

The name of Walter Holbrook appears on the records 
of the town as early as 1822. He established a home 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 203 

on lot four, range six, where he hved until about the 
year 1835, when he returned to Massachusetts. 

James Powers came to town in 1822. He married a 
sister of Captain John L. Jackman. 

Benjamin Pressey established a home in the Parkman 
neighborhood, south of the pond, once owned by B. L. 
Trundy, now the home of Loren Curtis. He was a 
carpenter, and built for the Fogg famil}^ the house a few 
rods east of the schoolhouse in District No. 3. 
William Soule moved into the town about the year 1822, 
and settled in the Parkman neighborhood, south of the 
pond. He had a large family of boys, among whom 
were Gideon, David, John and Rufus. 

Samuel W. Knight's name appears upon the military 
roll of 1822, which is about the date of his becoming a 
resident of the town. He purchased a part of lot two, 
in range seven, where he made a home for his family 
and lived until his death. This old homestead in 1890 
was owned by the late Cyrus Snell, whose son Charles 
afterwards became the owner and has recently sold to 
Mrs. Ruel Maguire. 

Dr. Seth Fogg emigrated from Deerfield, N. H., to 
Garland in the year 1822, bringing with him a large 
family of sons and daughters. One son, David, and one 
daughter, Mrs. Abraham True, were here a year or two 
earlier. Doctor Fogg first moved into the house vacated 
a few years earlier by William Sargent, on the place 
where James L. Rideout now resides. In 1823 he moved 
into the Burton house, located a few rods north of the 
present house of Mrs. Charles E. Merriam. Shortly 
after, he moved into the house that had been built for 
the Fogg family by Mr. Pressey, where his death soon 
occurred. This house is now owned and occupied by 
John McComb, Jr. 



204 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

Search for a Missing Child in a Neighboring 

Town in Which Citizens of Garland 

Participated 

Common privations and hardships united the earlv 
inhabitants of a town in bonds of earnest and sincere 
sympathy. Each citizen of the town was neighbor to 
every other citizen, and was always ready to assist others 
in cases of sickness, accident, or misfortune. Nor was 
such sympathy pent up within town limits. 

An incident occurred in a neighboring town that illus- 
trates this phase of social life in early times. On the 
sixth of June, 1822, a little four-year-old daughter of 
Daniel Ames of Sangerville was sent early in the day to 
a neighbor's house, a short distance away, on some 
trivial errand. She was obliged to pass through a nar- 
row piece of woodland to reach the point to which she 
was sent. 

Not returning as soon as she was expected, a boy was 
sent to inquire further, who was told by the neighbor 
that she had not been seen there during the da3^ Night 
was near. The neighbors were quickly alarmed and 
providing themselves with canteens and torches, spent 
almost the entire night in an anxious, but fruitless search 
for the missing child. 

Early the next morning, a dozen young men were sent 
to traverse the woodland, a little distance apart, and 
listen for the faintest sounds of alarm or distress which 
perchance might come from the lips of the Httle girl, 
but no sound was heard. The alarm soon reached 
adjoining towns, where companies of men were speedily 
organized to assist in the search. Among these was a 
company from Garland, under direction of Captain 
Philip Greeley. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 205 

The search was continued through several days. It 
was not rehnquished until the last ray of hope had van- 
ished from the hearts of distressed relatives. The fate 
of the little girl is to this day shrouded in mystery. 



Masonic Lodge 

A lodge of Free and Accepted Masons was organized 
in Garland on January 24, 1822, in the hall of the two- 
story house tlien owned and occupied by William 
Godwin, which stood upon the site of the house now 
owned and occupied by the heirs of the late William H. 
Knight. The house of two stories has since given place 
to a house of smaller dimensions. 

This was the second lodge organized within the present 
limits of the County of Penobscot, and the thirty-fifth 
within the limits of Maine. It embraced members from 
adjoining towns, including Exeter and Dexter, and was 
known as the Penobscot Lodge of Free and Accepted 
Masons. 

Some of the leading members living in Garland were 
Isaac Wheeler, Philip Greeley, Jeremiah Flanders and 
William Godwin. Years later, the headquarters of this 
lodge were removed to Dexter. 



Garland in 1823 

The legal voters of Garland were summoned to meet 
on April 7, 1823, to vote for a representative to Con- 
gress. For this office William Emerson of Bangor 
received forty votes; Obed Wilson received four votes. 



206 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

Neither of these candidates was elected. There was, 
however, a sii^nificance in the large relative vote of Mr. 
Emerson which is worthy of mention. It had no relation 
to part}' politics or locality. He was a merchant in 
Bangor, and had rendered valuable assistance to the 
inhabitants of Garland in the time of their sorest need 
at much personal risk. 

At the opening of 1817, there was great destitution 
of seed for the crops of the approaching summer, a fact 
that had found place in the heart of the generous mer- 
chant. With rare thoughtfulness, and rarer generosity, 
he advised them to prepare the largest possible acreage 
for crops, and accompanied his advice with the offer to 
furnish them with seed which had been withheld by the 
disastrous summer of the preceding year, and to extend 
to them the privilege of making compensation when 
more propitious seasons should provide the means to pay. 

The grateful people of Garland believed that a man 
possessing the fine personal qualities that had been 
exhibited by Mr. Emerson, would worthily represent 
them in Congress if elected. It afforded them an oppor- 
tunity to exhibit their grateful appreciation of remem- 
bered generosity which they did not fail to improve. 

The annual town meeting was held also on the seventh 
of April. Philip Greeley was chosen moderator; 
Reuben Bartlett, clerk ; Reuben Bartlett, Ezekiel Straw 
and Daniel Ladd, selectmen and assessors ; Isaac Wheeler, 
Samuel Warren and Daniel Ladd, superintending school 
committee; Philip Greelej^ was appointed collector of 
taxes, and a compensation of two per cent, voted him. 
Isaac Wheeler was chosen treasurer. 

The town voted to raise one thousand dollars to make 
and repair highways, three hundred dollars for the sup- 
port of schools, to be paid in grain, wheat at one dol- 
lar and twenty-five cents, and corn and rye at eighty- 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 207 

four cents each ; and thirty-five dollars for the purchase 
of powder to be paid in the same currency. One hun- 
dred dollars was voted to pay town charges, fifty-five 
dollars of which was to be paid in money and forty-five 
dollars in grain. The fiftj^-five dollars mentioned in this 
vote was the first money raised in Garland as payment of 
taxes. It may fairly be inferred from this fact that 
money was not overabundant in the early years of the 
town's history. 

Previous to 1823, the highway tax had been paid in 
labor, and all other taxes in grain. 

The legal voters of Garland assembled to cast their 
votes for governor and other officers on September 7th. 
For governor, Albion K. Parris received forty votes. For 
representative to the Legislature, Cornelius Coolidge of 
Dexter received twent3'-two votes ; Nathaniel Oak of 
Exeter received eleven votes. 

This election resulted in the choice of Mr. Parris for 
governor, and Mr. Coolidge for representative to the 
State Legislature. It is worthy of note that while the 
full vote for governor in Bangor was only eighty-four, 
the vote in Garland for the same officer was forty. 



First Store in Garland ^^illage 

What is now Garland village did not grow as fast as 
other parts of the town. This was due to the repressive 
policy of the agent of the proprietors, who would sell 
land only at prices much above its real value. Of the 
forty-five petitioners for an Act of Incorporation in 
1810, not more than three or four resided within the 
limits of the present village. 



208 HISTORY OF GAELAND, MAINE 

Of the forty-five families living in the town in 1820, 
only five families resided in the village. The first store 
in the village was built in 1823 by Isaac Wheeler, Esq. 
Upon its completion, Abraham Cox and John Walker, 
afterwards a well known merchant of Exeter for many 
years, put a stock of goods into it. Their success was 
not flattering and they abandoned the business after a 
short trial. The building has since been used for vari- 
ous kinds of merchandising. For the last twenty years 
it has afforded a very convenient place for the purposes 
of a post-office. 

Following Cox & Walker, it has been occupied in turn 
by Charles Reynolds, Charles Plummer, Calvin S. 
Wheeler, John S. Kimball, Stephen Kimball, John H, 
Ramsdell, Elijah Norcross, Charles Chandler, Lorenzo 
Oak, a Mr. Dunham, Johnson & Preble, (N. W. 
Johnson and Wins Preble) and Henry C. Preble. A 
millinery business was carried on in one of its apart- 
ments by the late Mrs. Octavia Hobbie, Miss Lizzie 
Rideout, and the late Mrs. Nathaniel Johnson, for several 
years. 

Returning to the events of 1823, Garland was favored 
by the coming of several families during that year. 
Among these was the family of Joseph Sargent, who 
purchased the farm upon which his brother William 
made a beginning in 1802, now the residence of James 
Rideout. 

Mr. Sargent emigrated from Boscawen, N. H. His 
goods were brought to Bangor by water, while his family 
made the journey to the same place overland. 

Leaving their children at Bangor, the}^ made the trip 
to Garland with horse and wagon. Their ride to this 
place was along a road that bore but faint resemblance 
to New Hampshire turnpikes. Arriving at their new 
home they found but little to inspire confidence or hope 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 209 

for the future. The home they had left behind, from 
which they had been driven by adverse fortune, was fur- 
nished with all the comforts and conveniences that 
characterized the best homes of the rural districts of 
New Hampshire at that time. The home they found at 
the end of their journey was scarcely suggestive of 
home. 

The family moved into the house of a neighbor to 
remain until their own house could be made habitable. 
The contrast between the old and new home was the 
occasion of much grief to Mrs. Sargent. Although 
naturally of a lively and cheerful disposition, she spent 
many an hour in weeping when alone. But she was a 
woman of the heroic type and resolutely concealed her 
own sadness when in the presence of others. By the 
force of industry and good management, prosperity at 
length returned to this family, bearing with it the well 
earned enjoyments that blessed their earlier life. 



Garland in 1824 

The annual town meeting of 1824 was held on March 
30. Philip Greeley was chosen moderator; Reuben 
Bartlett, town clerk; Daniel Ladd, Ansel Field and 
Walter Holbrook, selectmen and assessors; Isaac 
Wheeler, treasurer ; Isaac Wheeler, Samuel Warren and 
Ansel Field, superintending school committee, and 
Daniel Moore, collector of taxes, for a compensation of 
two per cent. 

The town voted to raise one thousand dollars to make 
and repair highways, four hundred dollars for the sup- 
port of schools, and fifty dollars to buy powder and 



210 HISTORY OF GAELAND, MAINE 

defray town charges. For the first time the town voted 
that all taxes except highway taxes should be paid in 
money. The first step towards this policy had been 
taken a year earlier. 

The election for the choice of governor and other 
officers was held on the second Monday of September, 
when Albion K. Parris received thirty-four votes for gov- 
ernor ; Cornelius Coolidge received thirty -three votes for 
representative to the State Legislature. Mr. Coolidge 
was the successful candidate. 



A Mustering of the Militia 

An event of more than local interest occurred in Gar- 
land in 1824. It was nothing less than the mustering 
of the companies of the fifth regiment of the militia. 
Other regimental musters occurred in town, but a 
description of one will answer for all. The troops were 
assembled on the level field on the north side of the 
road leading to Dexter, belonging to Isaac Wheeler, Esq. 
There were no buildings, public or private, upon this 
street at that time. Where now stands the town-house, 
the Congregational church and parsonage, and private 
residences, there were tents and booths for the sale of 
gingerbread, pies, and food of a more substantial char- 
acter for the hungry, new cider and beer for the thirsty 
youngsters, and something stronger for older people. 
Indeed the latter drink sometimes acquired master}' over 
men who were among our best citizens. 

There was here and there a dance-floor of rough 
plank where men under the influence of the favorite New 
England beverage disported by scraping the bottoms of 
their heavy brogans to the music of a cracked violin. 



HIS'i'ORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 211 

A Political Campaign Projected 

The year 182-i marked the opening of a Presidential 
campaign. The politicians of the Congressional district 
of which Garland was a part, called a convention to 
assemble on the day, and at the place of the general 
muster, to nominate a candidate for Presidential elector 
and to organize for the campaign. Jonathan Farrar, a 
well known citizen of Dexter, was nominated for elector, 
A large committee was appointed to prepare an address 
to the voters of the district setting forth the issues 
involved in the campaign. 

Bangor, Levant, Charleston, Exeter, Dexter, Corinth 
and Garland were represented in this committee. Gar- 
land was represented by Philip Greeley and Amos 
Gordon. The assembling of two such bodies as the regi- 
mental muster, and the Congressional district convention, 
on the same day may be regarded as a "red letter'' day 
in the earlv historv of Garland. 



Garland in 1825 

At the annual meeting of 1825, held on April 4th, 
the officers chosen were Daniel Ladd, moderator; Reuben 
Bartlett, town clerk; Daniel Ladd, Ansel Field and 
Walter Holbrook, selectmen ; Isaac Wheeler, Dr. Seth 
Fogg and Paul M. Fisher, superintending school com- 
mittee, and William Godwin, treasurer. 

The town appropriated four hundred dollars for 
schools, fifteen hundred dollars for roads, one hundred 
and five dollars for town charges, and one hundred and 
sixty dollars to pay existing demands. Daniel Moore 



212 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

was chosen collector, and his compensation was fixed at 
four and nine tenths per cent. It was voted to receive 
grain for all taxes except highway taxes which were to 
be paid in labor. Prices fixed for grain were seven 
shillings, and sixpence for wheat, five shillings for corn, 
and six shillings for rye. 



Fall Elections 

The legal voters of Garland assembled on September 
12th to vote for governor and other officers. 

For governor, Albion K. Parris received eighteen 
votes; Enoch Lincoln received fourteen votes. 

For representative to the Legislature, Winthrop 
Chapman received twent3'-four votes; Reuben Bartlett 
received seven votes. 

Mr. Parris was elected governor by a large majority. 
Neither of the candidates for the State Legislature sup- 
ported by the voters of Garland was elected. Cornelius 
Coolidge of Dexter was the successful candidate. The 
representative class embraced, at that time, the towns ofi 
Garland, Exeter, Corinth, Charleston and Dexter. 



Destructive Fires in 1825 

The farmers of central Maine were favored with 
abundant crops in 1825. The continual warm weather 
of the summer season resulted not only in abundance of 
crops, but in early harvests, thus giving the farmers a 
long autumnal season for its appropriate work. At that 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 213 

time a majority of the farmers in this section were 
increasing the area of their crop-producing lands from 
year to year. In the work of clearing the lands of the 
forests that covered them, fire was an indispensable 
agency. 

Late in the summer, and early in the autumn of 1825, 
fires were extensively kindled in aid of clearing lands, 
and the farmers congratulated each other upon getting 
"good burns. " But the warm weather that had given 
them good crops, early harvests, and aided them in get- 
ting "good burns," had also dried the surface of their 
lands, and had made everything of a combustible nature 
food for flames. By the last of September, wells had 
become dry, rivers and streams had been greatly reduced 
in volume, and brooks had disappeared. 

The late Rev. Amasa Loring, who was warmly engaged 
with his neighbors in efforts to arrest the progress of the 
flames, says in his History of Piscataquis County that 
much of the cleared land contained decaying stumps, 
and was enclosed with log fences, while the stubble upon 
the grain and mowing fields was thick and rank, and 
all as dry as tinder, and that fires that had been set did 
not go out, but lingered and smouldered still, and that 
in the evening of October 7th, after a still and smoky 
day, a violent gale from the north and northwest fanned 
these smouldering fires into a furious and rushing blaze. 
Men and boys were hurried to the earlier points of 
danger, but were soon summoned back to fight the fire 
from their own threatened dwellings. As morning broke, 
the wind subsided, and the fires lulled away relieving the 
terror of the stricken and weary inhabitants. With 
respect to the results of the disastrous fire — Mr. Loring 
says — "Almost every man's wood-land had been burned 
over, and much of its growth killed, large tracks of tim- 



214 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

ber land had been severely injured and many buildings 
destroyed." 

Hon. John E. Godfrey says in his Annals of Bangor, 
that the roaring of the fire was like thunder, and was 
heard at a distance of from twelve to fifteen miles. 
Houses, barns, saw-mills and grist-mills were destroyed. 
He also says that there were burned in Guilford four 
houses and five barns, in Ripley eleven houses and nine 
barns, in Harmony four houses and five barns, in Dover 
one barn, in Monson one barn. There were other build- 
ings burned, and the damage to the timber lands was 
enormous. 

There is still a lingering belief in the minds of some 
of the citizens of the counties that suffered from the 
ravages of the fires of 1825, that they originated from 
the burning of hay in northern Penobscot, by the order 
of the State Land Agent, to cripple the operations of 
the plunderers of the timber lands belonging to the 
State. It is not necessary to go so far away to find the 
origin of these fires. In the widespread and severe 
drouth of that time, the necessary conditions for start- 
ing fires were present in almost every town. The excep- 
tions were towns where there were no smouldering 
fires to be fanned into furious flames. 

Mr. Loring, a participator in the fight against the 
on-rushing flames, says that the fire had marked its way 
from Moosehead Lake across the county. In his Annals 
of Bangor, Hon. John E. Godfrey says: "The enemies 
of the land agent were not unwilling that he should 
have the reputation of originating the fires which had 
caused such devastation in the northerly part of Penob- 
scot County, when he caused the hay cut by the tres- 
passers to be burnt," and adds that although this was 
not the case, yet the Indians had been impressed with 
the idea that it was. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 215 

The town of Garland was on the line of the advan- 
cing flames, but before it was reached the wind had ceased, 
and the town escaped injury. Nevertheless its inhabi- 
tants had suffered keenly with terror and anxiety. 



Garland in 1826 

The annual town meeting of 1826 was held on April 
6th. Abraham J. Cox was chosen moderator; Reuben 
Bartlett, town clerk; Reuben Bartlett, Isaac Wheeler 
and Ansel Field, selectmen and assessors; Abraham J. 
Cox, treasurer, and Isaac Wheeler, Isaac E. Wilkins 
and Ansel Field, superintending school committee. 
Walter Holbrook was chosen collector, and a compensa- 
tion of one and nine tenths per cent, voted for the 
service. 

The town voted to raise three hundred dollars for the 
support of schools, twelve hundred dollars to make and 
repair highways, and two hundred dollars to defray town 
charges. A step had been taken in 1823 towards the 
policy of requiring taxes to be paid in money. With 
the exception of that year all taxes but highway taxes, 
which were paid in labor, had been paid in grain at 
prices determined by the town each year. In 1826, and 
since, taxes, except for making and repairing highways, 
have been paid in money. The town voted "that the 
remaining three eighths of the public lands be divided 
between the religious societies which have not received 
any, according to their numbers." 

The legal voters assembled on the 1 1 th day of Septem- 
ber to vote for governor and other officers. 

For governor, Enoch Lincoln received twenty-six 



216 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

votes; William Godwin received six votes; Ezekiel 
Whitman received five votes. 

For representative to the State Legislature, Reuben 
Bartlett of Garland received twenty-four votes ; Daniel 
Ladd of Garland received twenty-two votes; Lewis 
Goulding of Garland received one vote. 

Enoch Lincoln was elected governor. Winthrop 
Chapman of Exeter, who had received no votes in Gar- 
land, was elected representative to the State Legislature. 

The deaths of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams 
occurred on the Fourth of July, 1826. The news of the 
death of these two eminent men carried sadness into 
every town, village and hamlet in the LTnited States. 
Both had participated in the stirring events that led to 
the Revolutionary War. Both were members of the 
convention from which had emanated the immortal 
Declaration of Independence, embodying truths that 
have given the people of this country the best govern- 
ment in the world, and that are destined to revolutionize 
all other governments. Mr. Adams had been the second 
and Mr. Jefferson the third President of the United 
States. It was a remarkable coincidence that these emi- 
nent men, who had been associated in establishing the 
foundations of this government, and of administering its 
affairs in turn, should die on the same day, and that day, 
the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. 

The voters of Garland had met on the 11th of Sep- 
tember, 1826, to ballot for a representative to Con- 
gress. This Congressional district embraced the counties 
of Penobscot and Somerset. The territory of the county 
of Piscataquis was at that time embraced within the two 
counties above named. There having been no choice at 
this trial, another trial occurred on December 18, 1826, 
which, like the first, failed to elect. The third trial 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 217 

occurred on the second of April, 1827, which also failed 
to elect. 

At the present time we hear much lamentation over 
the degeneracy of political methods and practices. 
People who indulge in such lamentations would do well 
to study the methods and practices which were prevalent 
in the earlier history of Maine. 

In his Annals of Bangor, Judge Godfrey gives us some 
information upon this matter. Referring to the aspirants 
for Congressional honors, and their friends in this Con- 
gressional district, he says : ' 'The candidates nominated 
by conventions and individuals were respectable men, 
but it mattered not who were the candidates, when one 
obtained sufficient prominence, he was pursued by the 
friends of the others with a bitterness that would be 
hardly excusable in savages. Like death they pursued 
the shining mark; no matter how sensitive the subject 
or how pure his life, if there were the least flaw in the 
armor of his character it was found and pierced, and 
reamed, and rasped, until it would seem to be the most 
rickety and unsubstantial character in existence." 

He also says that Governor Lincoln's proclamation in 
1827 for a day of fasting and prayer might well have 
been carefully studied by the politicians of the time. As 
the sentiments of this proclamation are good for all 
times, an extract will not be out of place here. "I 
recommend to every one to observe the day as a Christian ; 
if he be under the influence of any vice, to banish it ; if 
in error, to correct it; if under obligations to others, 
honestly to discharge them; if suffering injuries, to for- 
give them ; if aware of any animosities, to extinguish 
them, and if able to do any benevolent act to any being 
created by the Almighty power to which he owes his 
existence and his faculties, to do it. Especially I 
recommend that being members of one great community, 



218 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

we unite as Christian politicians so that we may render 
perpetual the peace and prosperity of our country and 
of this State." 

Although there has been a manifest improvement in 
political methods and practices since the early days of 
Maine's statehood, there is still left a wide margin for 
further advancement in this direction. 



Garland in 1827 

The year 1827 witnessed a continuation of the contest 
for a representative to Congress. There had been three 
abortive trials to elect. The fourth trial was also a 
failure. Through the period of these failures to elect, 
this Congressional district was without representation in 
Congress. The failures were due to the manner of nomi- 
nating candidates. 

Small coteries of men, at different points in the dis- 
trict, nominated personal friends without regard to the 
preference of the voters at large. To such an extent 
was this practice carried, that there were sometimes from 
six to ten candidates for Congressional honors before the 
voters of the district. As an illustration, at the third 
trial of the protracted contest which has been described, 
the voters of Garland distributed their votes to seven 
different candidates. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 219 

Congressional Convention 

After repeated failures running through two years, 
the friends of the administration met at Garland on the 
sixteenth day of August, and nominated Samuel Butman 
of Dixmont as their candidate for representative to Con- 
gress. Mr. Butman was the successful candidate. 

The annual meeting for town business was held on 
April 2. The officers were Walter Holbrook, moder- 
ator ; Reuben Bartlett, town clerk ; Reuben Bartlett, 
Daniel Ladd and Samuel W. Knight, selectmen and 
assessors; Isaac Wheeler, treasurer, and Isaac E. 
Wilkins, Moses Buswell and Isaac Wheeler, superin- 
tending school committee. William Godwin was chosen 
collector of taxes, and his compensation was fixed at 
three per cent. 

The appropriations were two hundred dollars for town 
charges, fifteen hundred dollars for highways, to be paid 
in labor at twelve and one half cents per hour, and three 
hundred dollars for schools. 



Fall Election 

For governor, Enoch Lincoln received twenty-seven 
votes; William Godwin received six votes; Ezekiel 
Whitman received three votes. 

For representative to the Legislature, Reuben Bartlett 
received thirty-one votes; Elijah Skinner received three 
votes; William Eddy received three votes; David A. 
Gove received one vote. 



220 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

In the state at large, Enoch Lincoln was elected gov- 
ernor. Reuben Bartlett was elected to the Legislature. 

The division of the public land reserved for the first 
settled minister became the occasion of considerable 
trouble to the town, and perhaps to the minister as 
well. The Rev. Isaac E. Wilkins was entitled to five 
eighths of this land by virtue of an agreement with the 
town, but no division between the contracting parties 
had been made. A committee had been appointed to 
propose a division of the land, but the records fail to 
show that any action had been taken by the committee. 

Subsequently Mr. Wilkins was authorized to select a 
committee for this service. This had not been done. 
At a meeting held November 28th, the town voted 
"that Reuben Bartlett, Joseph Prescott and Isaac 
Wheeler, be a committee to make application to the 
Court of Common Pleas for a committee to divide the 
land which the inhabitants hold in common with the 
Rev. Isaac E. Wilkins unless the said Wilkins cause it to 
be divided immediately by virtue of a vote passed Sep- 
tember 11, 182T." 



An Early Spring 

Samuel P. Sargent is authorit}' for the statement that 
his father, Joseph Sargent, raised the barn now standing 
on the farm of James Rideout, on the ninth of April, 
1827, and that Major Merrill had a team plowing on 
the David Allen place on the same day. 

This statement respecting the earliness of the season 
of 1827, finds confirmation in Judge Godfrey's Annals 
of Bangor, wherein he says of the same season, that 
cucumbers measuring: from five to six and one half inches 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 221 

long were picked in Bangor on the eleventh of June 
which were the earliest that had then ever been raised in 
the country. The methods of forcing the growth of 
vegetables now employed were not in use then. 



Garland in 1828 

At the annual meeting of 1828, held March 31st, 
Joseph Prescott was chosen moderator ; Reuben Bartlett, 
town clerk ; Reuben Bartlett, Daniel Ladd and Jeremiah 
Flanders, selectmen and assessors; William Fairfield, M. 
D., Rev. Isaac E. Wilkins and Isaac Wheeler, Esq., were 
chosen superintending school committee. Samuel W. 
Knight was chosen collector, and a compensation of two 
and seven tenths per cent, was voted for the service. 

The town voted to raise fifteen hundred dollars to 
make and repair highways, three hundred dollars for the 
support of schools and two hundred dollars to defray 
town charges. The highway tax was to be paid in labor 
for which men and oxen were to be allowed twelve and 
one half cents per hour until the 15th of September, and 
eight cents on and after that date. 

Among the practices of the earlier years of the town's 
history, was that of allowing cattle to run within the 
limits of the highways for pasturage. This practice 
was an ever present menace to the growing crops which 
were often seriously damaged by cattle that ran at large 
on the highways. It forced the farmers to build and 
maintain fences between their growing crops and the 
highway, which was, perhaps, the most serious burden 
they were forced to confront. It led to disputes, neigh- 
borhood quarrels and litigations. 



222 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

In 1828, the town voted "that neat cattle be prohib- 
ited from going at large from the first day of June to 
the first day of November, 1828." Similar action was 
often taken by the town in subsequent years until the 
State made it the duty of every owner of stock to fence 
his own stock in, and relieved him of the burden of fen- 
cing other men's stock out. As the result of this policy, 
many a farmer has been relieved from a burdensome 
necessity, and the aggregate of savings has run largely 
into the thousands. 

On the 8th day of September, 1828, the legal voters 
of Garland balloted for governor and other officers. 

For governor, Enoch Lincoln received twenty-nine 
votes; Solomon Parsons received twenty-four votes; 
Daniel Emery received fifteen votes; William Emerson 
received one vote. 

For senator to State Legislature, Nathan Herrick 
received eighteen votes; Reuben Bartlett received seven- 
teen votes. 

For representative to the Legislature, Samuel Butman 
received twenty-one votes ; Samuel Whitney received 
seventeen votes, and AVilliam Emerson received one vote. 

In several instances the successful candidate for the 
Legislature failed to get a single vote in Garland. This 
was the fact in 1828. Although Winthrop Chapman of 
Exeter failed to get a single vote in Garland, he was the 
successful candidate. Such results were due to the fact 
that the caucus system of the present time was not so 
fully developed, and its authority not so fully acknowl- 
edged then as now. 

In the presidential election of 1828, Garland gave a 
small majority for the National Republican candidate, 
John Quincy Adams. Andrew Jackson, the Democratic 
candidate, was elected. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 223 



The First Cemetery 

In 1828 the town established the first cemetery within 
its limits, in what is now District No. 7. Its location 
is near the schoolhouse in that district, and is known as 
the Burnham Cemetery. Before this, the dead had often 
been buried on the premises of relatives, and their 
graves had been subject to neglect and desecration when 
such premises changed hands. Walter Holbrook, Moses 
Gordon and Daniel Ladd were appointed to inclose the 
cemetery and superintend the removal of the dead from 
their scattered resting places thereto. 



Garland in 1829 

The annual meeting of 1829 was held on March 30. 
Joseph Prescott was chosen moderator ; Charles Reynolds, 
town clerk; Reuben Bartlett, Daniel Ladd and Samuel 
W. Knight, selectmen and assessors; Reuben Bartlett, 
treasurer ; Isaac E. Wilkins, Reuben Bartlett and Charles 
Reynolds, superintending school committee. Jeremiah 
Flanders was chosen collector, and a compensation of 
two and nine tenths mills voted for the service. 

The town voted to raise two thousand dollars to make 
and repair highways, to be paid in labor at twelve and 
one half cents per hour for men and oxen until Septem- 
ber 15, and eight cents after that date. Three hundred 
dollars was voted for the support of schools and two 
hundred dollars to defray town charges. The inhabit- 
ants were forbidden to pasture their cattle in the roads 
during the period of growing crops. 



224 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

The inhabitants of Garland met on the 14th of Sep- 
tember, 1829, to provide for the rebuilding of a bridge 
across the neck of the pond, a little way north of the 
village mills. A contract was made with Daniel Moore 
to furnish the necessary timber for the bridge. 

The legal voters assembled on September 14th to bal- 
lot for governor and other officers. 

For governor, Samuel E. Smith received forty votes; 
Jonathan G. Minturn received seventeen votes. 

For representative to the Legislature, Reuben Bartlett 
received forty votes; Cornelius Coolidge received twenty 
votes. 

The political canvass of 1829 had been bitter, and 
the result was unsatisfactory to both parties. Mr. 
Hunton was elected governor, and Mr. Chapman repre- 
sentative to the Legislature. 



The Genesis of the Temperance Reform 

In the year 1828 or 1829, Isaac Wheeler, Esq., one of 
Garland's pioneers, was at work in his field, on what is 
now known as the Foss farm. At work with him, was 
Joseph True, Jr., then scarcely more than a boy. On 
the opposite side of the road was the house where the 
Clark family now resides, which was then occupied by 
the Rev. Isaac E. Wilkins, Garland's first settled 
minister. 

A county temperance society had been organized 
embracing in its membership some of the most prominent 
men in the county. The subject was a theme for dis- 
cussion in many of the towns. Mr. Wheeler and young 
True had an earnest conversation upon the subject which 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 225 

resulted in their going to Mr. Wilkins with the request 
that he would write a pledge, which he cheerfully con- 
sented to do. The three men signed it and from this 
transaction emerged Garland's first temperance society. 



Review of Town's Growth From 1820 to 1830 

From 1820 to 1830 there was an accession to the town 
of about seventy families. Among these were the fami- 
lies of Reuben Bartlett, Abraham True, Joseph True, 
Sr. , Joseph Prescott, Joseph Sargent, Dr. Seth Fogg, 
Benjamin Pressey, Rufus Inman, Thomas B. Saunders, 
Walter Holbrook, Samuel Warren, William Warren, 
William Mansfield, Ansel Field, Samuel W. Knight, 
Zebulon Knight, Daniel Ladd, Jeremiah Ladd, William 
Buswell, M. D., Asa W. Soule, Gains Soule, Lewis 
Soule, Haskell Besse, James Powders, Leonard Leland, 
John Davis, James Bobbins, William Soule, Gideon 
Soule, David Soule, John Soule, Gilbert Wallace, Enoch 
Rollins, John Hamilton, Joseph Strout, Joseph Johnson, 
John Johnson, Israel Colley, Lewis Goulding, Amos 
Higgins, William Doble, William Sargent, David 
Sargent, Aaron Hill, Elisha Nye, Rufus Soule, Phineas 
Batchelder, John H. Batchelder, Mason Skinner, James 
March, Jacob Quimby, Samuel Greeley, John E. Ladd, 
James Parker, George Curtis, Russell Murdock, Isaac E. 
Wilkins, William Fairfield, M. D., Herbert Thorndike, 
William Rollins, Fifield Lyford, David M. Greeley, 
Eben Battles, Seth Smith, Isaiah Stillings, Eliab 
Stewart, Andrew Smith, David Moore, James Holbrook, 
Benjamin Mayo. 

A few of the above names are those of young men 



226 HISTOEY OF GAELAND, MAINE 

who were not heads of families previous to 1830, but 
became so after that date. The population of Garland 
in 1830 was six hundred and twenty-one, an increase of 
three hundred and forty-six in ten years. There were 
but few events in the period under review worthy of 
special notice. 

The town had enjoyed a happy exemption from the 
remarkable discouragements and hardships that had char- 
acterized its earlier history. The allegiance of its citi- 
zens had been transferred from the Commonwealth of 
Massachusetts to the State of Maine. The town had 
settled Rev. Isaac E. Wilkins as its first minister. The 
Free Will Baptist church had been organized in 1825. 
Several school districts had been established, and the 
advantages for instruction of persons of school age 
extended. The policy of paying taxes, excepting high- 
way taxes, in money had been established, indicating 
that this convenience of civilization was becoming more 
abundant. Roads had been improved and extended. 
The crops had generally been good, and the people had 
been fairly prosperous. 



Garland in 1830 

The town officers of 1830 were Joseph Prescott, 
moderator ; Charles Reynolds, town clerk ; Reuben 
Bartlett, Samuel W. Knight and Jeremiah Flanders, 
selectmen and assessors ; Reuben Bartlett, treasurer ; 
Ezekiel Straw, collector, at a compensation of one and 
three-fourths per cent. ; Isaac E. Wilkins, Charles 
Reynolds and Daniel M. Haskell, superintending school 
committee. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 227 

It was voted to raise two thousand dollars for high- 
waj's, three hundred and fifty dollars for schools and 
fifty-five dollars for town charges. Men and oxen were 
to be allowed twelve and one half cents per hour for 
labor on the roads until September 15, and eight cents 
per hour thereafter. 

Charles Reynolds, town clerk, having been notified by 
Zenas Flanders, field driver, that damage had been done 
to the crops of Gideon Soule by two chestnut colored 
horses, and two red yearling colts that had been taken up 
and impounded, a warrant was issued to James Dinsmore 
and George Curtis, dated August 1, 1830, to proceed at 
once to the estimation of the damage to said crops. 
The amount returned for damages was fifty cents. Pro- 
ceedings of this kind were a feature of that period. 
Sometimes they originated in a spirit of spite, but were 
intended to protect the inhabitants from damage to 
their crops. 

On September 13, 1830, the town balloted for gov- 
ernor, representative to Congress, representative to the 
Legislature, and other officers. 

For governor, Jonathan G. Hunton received thirty-two 
votes; J. G. Hunton received two votes; Samuel E. 
Smith received sixty-seven votes. 

For representative to Congress, Ebenezer S. Philips 
received thirty-one votes ; James Bates received sixty-six 
votes. 

For representative to Legislature, Reuben Bartlett 
received sixty-five votes; R. Bartlett received five votes; 
John Bates received thirty-thi-ee votes; John Wilkins 
received one vote. 

Samuel E. Smith was elected governor, James Bates 
representative to Congress and Winthrop Chapman 
representative to the Legislature. On the same day, 
September 13, the second public cemetery was estab- 



228 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

lished. It was located in the northwesterly part of the 
town, and is known as the Greeley Cemetery. 

Action was taken to have it properly fenced, and the 
scattered dead in that part of the town removed to it. 
A bridge was built across the neck of the pond, just 
north of the village grist-mill, in 1850 or 1831. The 
timber for this bridge was furnished by Daniel Moore, a 
citizen of the town. 



Increasing Prosperity 

From 1820 to 1830 the inhabitants of Garland, being 
at a remove of several years from the depressing influ- 
ences of the war that terminated in 1814, and of the 
almost total destruction of their crops in 1816, began 
to exhibit new indications of prosperity'. This was 
noticeable in the building of larger and more convenient 
dwellings. Philip Greeley built a two-story dwelling- 
soon after 1820, upon the estate in District No. 1, now 
owned by the heirs of the late William B. Foss. 

In 1822, Jeremiah Flanders built the dwelling now 
occupied by Edwin Preble. William Godwin built a two- 
story dwelling about the year 1822, upon the site now 
owned by the heirs of the late William H. Knight. It 
was built for a tavern when the teaming back and forth 
from western Piscataquis passed the site of this house. 
The Penobscot Masonic Lodge was organized and had 
its headquarters here for several years. 



HISTOEY OF GARLAND, MAINE 229 



Garland in 1831 

The annual town meeting was held on April 11th. 
Joseph Prescott was chosen moderator ; Charles Reynolds, 
town clerk; Reuben Bartlett, Charles Rej^nolds and 
Sanmel W. Knight, selectmen ; Charles Reynolds, Daniel 
M. Haskell and Enoch M. Barker, M. D. , superintending 
school committee, and Reuben Bartlett, treasurer. 
William Godwin was chosen collector, and his compen- 
sation was fixed at two per cent. 

It was voted to raise two thousand five hundred dollars 
to make and repair highways, and to allow men and oxen 
twelve and one half cents per hour until October 1st, 
three hundred dollars for the support of schools, one 
hundred and fifty dollars to defray town charges and 
thirty-five dollars for the support of the poor. This 
was the first action taken by the town in aid of the poor. 

Neat stock was prohibited from running in the roads 
during the period of growing crops. 

The legal voters assembled September 12, 1831, to 
ballot for governor and other officers. 

Samuel E. Smith received fiftj'-two votes for governor; 
Daniel Goodenow received forty-four votes for governor. 

Samuel E. Smith, the Democratic candidate, was 
elected governor. Winthrop Chapman of Exeter, who 
failed to get a single vote in Garland, was elected repre- 
sentative to the Legislature. 



An Abundant Crop of Corn 

The year 1831 was characterized by a large yield of 
corn. It is doubtful if any season since has been so 



230 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 



favorable to the growth of that crop. For several 
seasons following 1831, corn was a very uncertain crop, 
owing to the recurrence of early frosts which arrested its 
growth, and prevented its ripening. Years later, it was 
found that a careful preparation of the soil and selection 
of seed was generally followed by a good yield. 



Garland in 1832 

The first town meeting of 1832 was of early occur- 
rence. Reuben Bartlett, owner of the mill property in 
the village, contemplated building a new grist-mill. 
This plan, if carried out, would benefit the surrounding 
community. It was, therefore, regarded with favor by 
the inhabitants of the town. It was his purpose to 
increase the height of his dam to secure a larger and 
more abundant supply of water. This would enlarge 
the area of flowage. Two citizens of the town, who 
owned land on the shore of the pond, threatened suits 
for damage in case the dam should be raised. Mr. 
Bartlett, who had no fears of having to pay damage, 
was conscious of th6 fact that large bills for costs might 
be incurred in defense of threatened suits. 

A meeting of the inhabitants of the town was held 
January 28, 1832, when it was voted "to pay all bills of 
costs that Reuben Bartlett, his heirs or assigns, may 
have to pay in defending any that may be prosecuted 
against him for flowing land necessary to the operation 
of his mills, provided the said Bartlett shall erect a good 
grist-mill as soon as may be, the damage to flowed lands, 
if any there be, to be paid by said Bartlett. " No action 
for damage was ever begun. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 231 

At the annual town meeting of 183i2, held March 19, 
Joseph Prescott was chosen moderator ; Charles Reynolds, 
town clerk; Reuben Bartlett, Benjamin H. Oak and 
Daniel M. Haskell, selectmen and assessors ; Reuben 
Bartlett, treasurer; Abraham True, collector, compen- 
sation two per cent. , and E. M. Barker, Charles Reynolds 
and D. M. Haskell, superintending school committee. 

It was voted to raise two thousand dollars for high- 
ways, men, oxen and plows to be paid twelve and one 
half cents per hour, and not to be allowed more than 
twelve hours for any single day's work. It was voted 
to raise three hundred and fifty dollars for the support 
of schools, and one hundred dollars to defray town 
charges. It was voted that the annual town meetings 
thereafter should be held on the second Monday in 
March. 

The meeting to ballot for governor and other officers 
was held September 10, 1832, when Samuel E. Smith 
received fifty-six votes for governor; Daniel Goodenow 
received fifty-eight votes for governor; Reuben Bartlett 
received fifty-five votes for representative to the Legis- 
lature ; Russell Kitridge received fifty-eight votes for 
representative to the Legislature. 

Samuel E. Smith was elected governor, Reuben 
Bartlett, representative to the Legislature. 

The presidential election of 1832 occurred on the fifth 
of November. Henry Clay was the Whig candidate and 
Andrew Jackson was the Democratic candidate. The 
Whig candidates for electors received fifty-six votes, and 
the Democratic candidates received sixt3^-seven votes. 

A business meeting was held on the day of the presi- 
dential election, at which the town voted to appropriate 
the ministerial lands in the town of Garland to the use 
of primary schools. In his Annals of Bangor, Judge 
Godfrey says of the season of 1832 — "The spring was 



232 HISTORY OF GAELAND, MAINE 

cold this year. Fires were comfortable up to, and into 
June. ' ' 



Garland in 1833 

In 1833, the annual town meeting was held March 
11th. Joseph Prescott was chosen moderator; Charles 
Reynolds, town clerk; Reuben Bartlett, Benjamin H. 
Oak, and Charles Reynolds, selectmen and assessors; 
Reuben Bartlett, treasurer; Charles Reynolds, Alphonzo 
Adams and Daniel M. Haskell, superintending school 
committee. Abraham True was chosen collector and the 
compensation was fixed at two per cent. 

It was voted to raise twenty-five hundred dollars to 
build and repair highways, and to allow twelve and one 
half cents per hour for the labor of men and oxen until 
the 15th of September, and eight cents per hour until 
the opening of winter, when twelve and one half cents 
was to be paid for the labor of men and oxen. The 
sum of four hundred dollars was voted for the support 
of schools, one hundred and fifty dollars to defray town 
charges and thirty dollars for the support of the poor. 

The legal voters assembled on September 9th to ballot 
for governor, representative to Congress, representative 
to the Legislature and other officers. 

Robert P. Dunlap, Democrat, received seventy-six 
votes for governor; Daniel Goodenow, Whig, received 
thirty-one votes for governor. 

Gorham Parks, Democrat, received seventy-six votes 
for representative to Congress ; Ebenezer Hutchinson, 
Whig, received thirty-one votes for representative to 
Congress. 

Joseph Bridgham, Democrat, received seventy-six 
votes for representative to the Legislature, and Russell 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 233 

Kitridge, Whig, received thirty-two votes for the same 
office. Mr. Dunlap was the successful candidate for 
governor. 

The town refused to grant hcenses to sell spirituous 
liquors to be drank in the stores and shops of retailers. 

The lower road from West Garland to Dexter, near 
the north shore of Pleasant Pond, was laid out in 1833. 
The section of the county road leading from Dover to 
Dexter, across the northwest corner of Garland, was 
made in 1833. The section from Dover line to Main 
Stream was made by James J. Chandler and Jacob 
Greeley at eighty cents per rod. The section from Main 
Stream to Dexter line, was made by Thomas M. and 
William A. Murray at eighty-two cents per rod. 



Garland in 1834 

At the annual meeting of the town in 1834, held 
March 11, Joseph Prescott was chosen moderator; 
Charles Reynolds, town clerk; Reuben Bartlett, Benjamin 
H. Oak and Charles Rej^nolds, selectmen and assessors; 
Reuben Bartlett, treasurer; Charles Reynolds, Alphonzo 
Adams and Daniel M. Haskell, superintending school 
committee; James J. Chandler, collector, at two and 
one half per cent. 

It was voted to raise two thousand dollars for high- 
ways, three hundred and fifty dollars for schools, one 
hundred and twenty -five dollars for town charges, thirty 
dollars for the support of the poor, sixty dollars to com- 
plete the northwest county road, and to allow the same 
price as last year for men, oxen and the use of tools. 

The legal voters of Garland assembled September 8, 
1834, to ballot for governor and other officers. 



234 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

For governor, Robert P. Dunlap received ninety-nine 
votes; Peleg Sprague received sixty-one votes and 
Thomas A. Hill received four votes. 

For representative to Congress, Gorham Parks received 
ninety-nine votes ; Edward Kent received sixty-three 
votes. 

For senators, Reuben Bartlett, Democrat, received 
ninety-one votes; Ira Fish, Democrat, received ninety- 
eight votes; Waldo T. Pierce, Whig, received sixty-one 
votes; Richard H. Rice, Whig, received sixty-one votes. 

For representative to Legislature, William Hutchins 
received ninety-nine votes; Jefferson Gushing received 
sixty-three votes. 

The majorities for the Democratic candidates in 1834* 
were larger than usual. 



A Business Center 

The locality of Bangor at the head of navigation of 
Maine's largest river, and at a central point of one of 
its best agricultural regions, made it a place of great 
importance to the inhabitants of many of the surround- 
ing towns. After recovering from the effects of the 
War of 1812, and the disastrous results of the cold 
season of 1816, its growth was rapid. Here, the farmers 
of a larger region, including the counties of Penobscot, 
Piscataquis and sections of Somerset, found a market 
for their surplus crops. It became the largest lumber 
market in the world. The manufacture of shingles by 
hand in the country towns in winter was an industry of 
considerable importance. The farmers could make a 
few thousand of shingles, without interference with their 
regular farm work, which would always bring money in 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 235 

Bangor in the latter part of winter and spring. The 
bright light of burning shavings from the "shingle 
weaver's camp" through the long winter evenings was a 
feature of the times. 

Any change of conditions that contributed to the 
growth and increase of business in Bangor was of 
advantage to the towns around it. The business rela- 
tions of Bangor with Boston were important. Previous 
to 1834, the transportation of merchandise and passen- 
gers between the two places was through the medium of 
sailing vessels. The time required for the trips of the 
vessels was always uncertain, and often protracted. 

In 1834, the steamer Bangor, which has since become 
historic, was built and placed on the route between Ban- 
gor and Boston to carry passengers and freight. The 
merchant who now went to Boston for the purchase of 
goods, could determine with proximate certainty the 
time of his return with such merchandise as was immed- 
iately wanted. The successful accomplishment of this 
new enterprise was of advantage to the business men of 
the country towns as well as to those of Bangor. It 
opened new markets to the farmers and manufacturers of 
central Maine. 



The Hop Industry 

The cultivation of hops for the market had become an 
industry of some importance in a few of the towns 
adjoining Garland. The picking, curing and packing 
the hops had given employment to troops of girls and 
boys during the harvest season as well as profit to the 
farmers. In 1834, Honorable Reuben Bartlett provided 



236 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

the necessary building and fixtures for curing and pack- 
ing. Thus encouraged, a number of the farmers turned 
their attention to the cultivation of hops. The business 
in this section was soon overdone ; the price of hops fell, 
and the hop industry was abandoned. 



Garland in 1835 

At the annual town meeting of 1835, held March 
9th, Bildad A. Haskell was chosen moderator; Charles 
Reynolds, town clerk ; Daniel M. Haskell, David Pierce 
and Bildad A. Haskell, selectmen and assessors ; Reuben 
Bartlett, treasurer; Daniel M. Haskell, Enoch Hunting- 
ton and Alphonzo Adams, superintending school com- 
mittee. 

The town voted to raise two thousand five hundred 
dollars for making and mending roads, three hundred 
and fifty dollars for schools, three hundred dollars for 
town charges, fifty dollars to support the poor and one 
hundred and twenty-five dollars towards making the 
section of the county road, running in a northwesterly 
direction from a point a few rods south of the residence 
of Benjamin True, by the site of the schoolhouse in 
District No. 10, and the residence of Henry Merrill, to 
the point of divergence of the original route from the 
Sangerville road. 

It will be difficult for later generations to realize that 
the travel and heavy transportation each way between 
Bangor and western Piscataquis, including the towns of 
Abbot, Guilford and Sangerville, previous to the year 
1836, passed over the circuitous and hilly route leading 
by the schoolhouse in District No. 1, and Maple Grove 
Cemetery, to the center of Garland village. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 237 

An Irate Citizen 

In the 3'ear 1817, the route for a count}' road to 
extend from Bangor to what is now western Piscataquis 
through the town of Garland having been established, 
the town commenced making its section of the road. 
Philip Greeley and William Godwin were a committee 
to take charge of the work. Mr. Godwin was, at this 
time, the owner of a tavern stand on the site now occu- 
pied by the buildings of the late William H. Knight, 
opposite the site of the Maple Grove Cemetery. 

The route as established would carry the travel about 
forty rods east of this tavern stand, thereby depriving 
Mr. Godwin of patronage. A slight change of route to 
accommodate Mr. Godwin was willingly made by the 
committee. In 1834, a change was made in the route 
which diverted the travel from western Piscataquis 
from Mr. Godwin's tavern stand. Mr. Godwin \vas 
greatly exasperated by this change and, as a measure of 
revenge, blocked up the section of road which had been 
illegally made across his land at his own request. 

Several young men living in the vicinity, willing to 
annoy an unpopular citizen, cleared the road on the fol- 
lowing night. Large logs were hauled across the road 
the next day and removed at night. This procedure 
was repeated until Mr. Godwin and his grown-up sons 
threatened to arm themselves and shoot the intruders, 
whereupon the selectmen of the town assumed the offen- 
sive, and brought a suit against Mr. Godwin for thus 
interrupting the local travel on a road which was much 
used by families living in the northwest part of the to\vn. 

The decision was against Mr. Godwin, and he found 
himself in debt of inconvenient dimensions incurred by 
the trial. But this was not to him the most mortifying 



238 HISTOEY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

feature in the case. He was brought face to face with 
the necessity of taking a contract in the making of the 
obnoxious road to secure money to pay in part the costs 
of defense. 

The town initiated the policy of allowing each school 
district to choose its own agent in 1835. It also 
instructed the selectmen to make lists of the scholars 
in the several districts. 



Division of the Ministerial Fund 

The question of an equitable division of the fund 
derived from the sale of the ministerial lands, among the 
several religious societies, became the occasion of a some- 
what acrimonious contention. At the annual meeting 
of 1835, it was voted to submit the matters in dispute to 
two disinterested men ; one of them should be named by 
the town, and the other by a representative of the sev- 
eral religious societies. 

Judge Seba French, a prominent citizen of Dexter, 
was chosen on the part of the town, and John B. Hill, 
Esquire, of Exeter, afterwards a prominent lawyer of 
Bangor, was chosen to act for the religious societies. 
Benjamin H. Oak was appointed to present the case in 
behalf of the town, and Elder Josiah Bartlett presented 
the case of the religious societies. A list of the male 
members of each society had been made by its clerk in 
1829 and entered upon the town records. 

The names upon the Free Will Baptist list numbered 
forty-two and were: 

John Page, Jacob Quimby, 

Josiah Bartlett, James Powers, 

Amos Higgins, William Soule, 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 



239 



Daniel Ladd, 
Enoch Clough, 
Enoch RolHns, 
Asa Soule, 
Mason Skinner, 
Lewis Soule, 
John Hamilton, 
Joseph Strout, 
Eliab Stewart, 
David Burton, 
Warner Taylor, 
Samuel W. Knight, 
Zebulon Knight, 
John Trefethen, 
Henry Amazeen, 
Cutteon F. Flanders, 
James J. Chandler, 
Rufus Inman, 



John E. Ladd, 
Jacob Staples, 
Benjamin Mayo, 
Isaiah Stillings, 
David Soule, 
Gideon Soule, 
Israel Colley, 
Fifield Lyford, 
Isaac F. Ladd, 
John Batchelder, 
William Rollins, 
Benjamin Page, 
John Soule, 
John B. Stevens, 
William Ladd, 
Nathaniel Emerson, 
Hiram Lyford, 
Jeremiah Ladd. 



Names on Congregational list numbered twenty-four: 



Isaac Wheeler, 
Joseph True, 
Samuel Johnson, 
Levi Johnson, 
Lewis Goulding, 
Joseph True, Jr., 
Ansel Field, 
James Parker, 
George Curtis, 
Abraham True, 
Charles Reynolds, 
Russell Murdock, 



Daniel M. Haskell, 
Justus Harriman, 
David Fogg, 
Jacob Greeley, 
Aaron Hill, 
John S. Haskell, 
Herbert Thorndike, 
Walter Holbrook, 
Bray Wilkins, 
John S. Fogg, 
William Godwin, 
Samuel Greeley. 



Universalists numbered nineteen : 
Ezekiel Straw, Zenas Flanders, 

Bildad A. Haskell, Reuben Bartlett, 

Jeremiah Flanders, Moses Gordon, 



240 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

Joshua Silver, Moses Buswell, 

Reuben Marrow, Daniel Moore, 

Edward Fifield, John Hayes, 

Samuel P. Buswell, Jesse Straw, 

Solomon Soule, Amos G. Gordon, 

James Dinsmore, John Chandler, 

Eben Battles. 

The Calvinist Baptists numbered thirteen : 
Thomas S. Tyler, John Jackman, 

Hollis Mansfield, Amos Gordon, 

James March, Samuel Mansfield, 

Joseph Sargent, Robert Seward, 

Joseph Prescott, Benjamin Mayo, 

George W. Gordon, Shepherd Packard, 

Jonathan L. Haskell. 

The town records do not show what the action of the 
referees was in relation to the distribution of the minis- 
terial fund in 1835. There being no reference to it 
after this date, shows that their decision was regarded as 
final. 



The Aid of the Town to Some of Its Poorer 
Citizens 

There were industrious citizens among the early set- 
tlers of Garland who were still owing balances to the 
original proprietors of the township for their lands. 
By dint of persevering industry, they had cleared lands, 
erected buildings, and made improvements. All these 
things they had done through years of toil with the use 
of little money, but the debts they owed for their lands 
must be paid in money or its equivalent. They were 
forced to turn over their cattle to their creditors at 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 241 

prices merely nominal to pay the interest on their debts. 
Some of our older citizens will remember the droves of 
cattle that were collected from year to year in this, and 
neighboring towns, and driven to Massachusetts to pay 
these interest debts. 

At a special meeting held April 18, 1835, the town 
voted to raise one hundred dollars to pay the balance due 
Calvin Sanger, one of the original proprietors of the 
township, b}^ David Soule. By this generous act of the 
town, the home of Mr. Soule was saved to himself and 
family. 



Tragic Death of a Prominent Citizen 

Early in the morning of July 3, 1835, the Hon. 
Reuben Bartlett called his son Joseph, afterward editor 
of the Bangor Jeffersonian, to assist in starting some 
logs down the slope towards the saw-mill. Going 
directly to the mill, and starting a log downward toward 
the mill, he lost his balance and fell across it, when his 
coat sleeve was caught by a sharp knot, and he was 
thrown violently over and almost instantly killed by the 
rolling log. Joseph reached the mill yard just in season 
to witness the tei-rible accident. 

Mr. Bartlett emigrated from Nottingham, N. H., in 
1820, having purchased the village mill property of 
Mr. Church. He was an energetic, enterprising and use- 
ful citizen. His mental qualities, and his experience in 
municipal affairs fitted him for leadership, and he became 
the leading citizen of the town from the first year of his 
residence in it. 

In his first year here, he was chosen chairman of an 
important committee, and the records show that he filled 



242 HISTOBY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

one or more important offices each year during his fifteen 
years of residence in town. He was several times elected 
to one or the other branches of the State Legislature. 

In politics, Mr. Bartlett was an earnest and unwaver- 
ing Democrat. During his residence here of fifteen 
years, there were no defections in the Democratic ranks. 
As an able and wise counsellor, he was held in high 
esteem, and his death cast a gloom over the entire town. 



An Important Road Contemplated 

A geographical chart of the District of Maine, pub- 
lished in 1816, showed existing roads within the Province 
of Maine, also routes for roads that would be needed to 
meet the wants of advancing population. One of these 
routes extended from Bangor through the towns of Glen- 
burn, Levant, Exeter, Garland, Dexter, Sangerville, 
Guilford and Monson to Moosehead Lake, thence to 
the Canadian line. 

It was expected that this road would be opened by the 
proprietors of lands upon the route, and that it would 
prove of more importance than any other road in this 
section of Maine. But through the pressure of the 
need of roads to accommodate a more limited area, this 
larger scheme was held in abeyance until 1835. 

In 1835, a petition numerously signed, asked for a 
road, to be known as the Avenue Road, extending from 
Bangor to Moosehead Lake, through central Penobscot 
and western Piscataquis. This appears to have been a 
renewal of the old scheme of 1816. Garland had been 
heavily burdened with building roads. At a special 
meeting held September 24, 1835, the town appointed 
Moses Gordon, Ezekiel Straw, Bildad A. Haskell, James 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 243 

J. Chandler and Daniel M. Haskell to appear before 
the connnissioners in opposition to the road. The oppo- 
sition proved unavailing. The road was located and 
subsequently made. 



The First Meeting House in Garhmd 

Preliminary measures for the building of a meeting 
house by the Congregational parish of Garland were 
entered upon in 1835, The parish was small and of 
limited resources. How to raise the necessary funds was 
a perplexing question. But inspired by the faith of 
that veteran pioneer missionary, the Rev. John Sawyer, 
through whose efforts the Congregational church had 
been brought into existence twenty-five years earlier, the 
parish reached the decision to build. 

By the friendly aid of Charles P. Chandler, Esq., 
of Foxcroft, an act of incorporation was obtained from 
the Legislature, under which a company was formed 
with the title of "The Congregational Meeting House 
Company of Garland." A constitution and by-laws 
were adopted which provided that the stock should be 
divided into twenty-four shares of fifty dollars each, and 
that when eighteen shares had been taken, the site of 
the buildings should be determined, and the work of con- 
struction entered upon. 

There was considerable discussion respecting size and 
style of the building. All the members of the company 
were impressed with the necessity of economy of expendi- 
ture. Some favored a plain building, bare of belfry and 
steeple. Others expressed a different opinion. Lewis 
Goulding, a member of the church, who was always 
ready with a facetious remark, said that the purpose was 



244 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

to build a house for God. Without belfry and steeple, 
the building would be God's barn, and not God's house. 

The size and style including belfry and steeple were 
at length determined and plans procured. Benjamin 
H. Oak was chosen treasurer and chairman of the build- 
ing committee. The other members of this committee 
were the Rev. John Saw3'er and William Godwin. The 
prescribed amouijt of stock having been taken, Austin 
Newell of Monson, an experienced builder, was employed 
to take charge of the construction of the building. One 
of the by-laws forbade the use of any alcoholic drink by 
any person employed on the building, and that no such 
drink should be furnished at its raising. This action was 
in advance of the public sentiment of the times but the 
by-law was strictly observed. 

An incident worthy of record occurred at the raising 
of the building. The foundation timbers had been laid, 
and the timbers of the broad sides had been put in place 
and securely fastened together. Muscular men were 
ranged in close touch with each other the entire length 
of the broad side, awaiting in silence the command, 
"Pick him up," when the venerable Father Sawyer, 
then eighty-two years of age, suddenly appeared with 
bared head, his long thin locks of snowy whiteness float- 
ing in the breeze, and offered a brief and earnest prajer 
for a successful and safe termination of the day's work, 
and that the building when completed might aid in the 
spread of the Gospel. During this digression, the men 
listened in reverential silence. 

This building, which had its beginning in 1835, was 
not completed until 1837. Mr, Newell, who had taken 
charge of the work in 1835, and had completed the out- 
side of the building before the close of the season, 
entered into a contract with the parish to finish it in the 
following year, but the cold of the late autumn compelled 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 245 

him to await the warmer weather of the following spring 
to complete his contract. 

In the meantime, he entered into a contract with our 
well-remembered citizen, Isaac Fall, to complete the 
work of building, which was accomplished in the summer 
of 1837. Mr. Newell, after having paid bills for 
materials and work, and provided for the payment of 
Mr. Fall for the completion of the job, had eighteen 
dollars to show for his work in the season of 1836. 
The Meeting House Company, with credit to itself, 
made him a reasonable additional compensation. 

While the work on the building was in progress, it 
became apparent to the Meeting House Company that 
its cost would largely exceed the original estimate, to 
meet which was a perplexing problem. In their extrem- 
ity, kind friends of other places helped them. Father 
Sawyer, the original mover in the building, obtained aid 
to meet the deficiency from citizens of other places. 
Among these were S. J. Foster, George W. Ricker, S. 
Smith, George A. Thatcher^ S. S. Crosby, J. W. Mason, 
W. D. Williamson, R. & R. Haskins & Co., D. M. 
McDougal, A. Davis, J. B. Fisk, J. Carr, Cram & 
Dutton, and McGaw of Bangor, also D. Barstow and 
Holyoke & Page of Brewer. Edward Hill of New 
York, a brother of Mrs. Josiah Merriam, was a liberal 
contributor. 

The dedication of the house, which was the occasion 
of great interest, occurred early in the season of 1837. 
The bell of the meeting house was purchased and placed 
in position in the year 1857. Many citizens outside the 
Congregational parish contributed to the purchasing 
fund. It was made by Meneely & Sons, who had the 
reputation of being the best manufacturers of bells in 
America. 



HISTOEY OF GAKLAND, MAINE 

Garland in 1836 

At the annual town meeting of 1836, held March 14, 
Joseph Prescott was chosen moderator ; Stephen Smith, 
town clerk; Daniel M. Haskell, Enoch Huntington and 
Joseph Prescott, selectmen; Benjamin H. Oak, treas- 
urer; James J. Chandler, collector, and Daniel M. 
Haskell, Alphonzo Adams and Ezekiel Page, superin- 
tending school committee. 

The town voted to raise two thousand five hundred 
dollars for the roads, three hundred and fifty dollars for 
schools and two hundred dollars to defray town charges. 
Benjamin H. Oak, Ezekiel Page, Enoch Huntington, 
Moses Gordon and Ezekiel Straw, were appointed to 
redistrict the town in the interest of the public schools 
and were instructed to report at the September meeting. 

The support of a female pauper was determined by 
auction, and she became an inmate of the family of the 
lowest bidder for the term of one year. The com- 
pensation for her support was eighteen dollars and fifty 
cents, and such assistance as she could give in the house- 
work of the family. This method of providing for the 
support of the poor soon became offensive to the moral 
sentiment of the people, and was early abandoned. 

A special meeting for town business was held Septem- 
ber 12, 1836. At this meeting, the committee 
appointed at the annual town meeting to redistrict the 
town in the interest of the public schools, reported in 
favor of some changes in existing districts, and the 
establishment of one or more new districts. The report 
of this committee was accepted. By virtue of this 
action, the town embraced eight school districts in 1836. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 247 



Bears 

In the autumn of 1836, bears became more numerous 
and bold in their assaults upon growing crops. They 
seemed almost human in their partiality for green corn 
and, like humans of the baser sort, they committed their 
depredations under the cover of darkness. Influenced 
by the general badness of the bear, the town voted "that 
a premium of three dollars be awarded to any person 
residing in this town who shall kill a bear, and produce 
sufficient testimony of the fact to the treasurer of the 
town." 



Fall Elections of 1836 

The balloting for State and other officers occurred 
September 12, when Robert P. Dunlap, Democrat, 
received seventy-six votes for governor. Edward Kent, 
Whig, received thirty-eight votes for governor. 

There were five trials to elect a representative to the 
State Legislature in the class which embraced Garland, 
and five failures to elect. Balloting for presidential 
electors occurred November 7, when the Democratic 
candidates received forty-nine votes each. Whig candi- 
dates received twenty-nine votes each. 

The candidates for President were Martin Van Buren, 
Democrat, and William K. Harrison, Whig. 



248 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

Garland in 1837 

At the annual toAvn meeting of 1837, held on March 
18, Joseph Prescott was chosen moderator; Charles 
Reynolds, town clerk; Enoch Huntington, Ezekiel Straw 
and Luther Rideout, selectmen; Benjamin H. Oak, 
treasurer; Samuel W. Knight, collector, and Daniel M. 
Haskell, E. L. Norcross and Samuel Skillin, superintend- 
ing school committee. 

The town voted to raise four hundred and fifty dollars 
for schools, three thousand five hundred dollars for roads, 
three hundred and fifty dollars for town charges and sup- 
port of the poor. The premium of three dollars per 
head for the destruction of bears was continued. The 
care of the poor was delegated to the selectmen. 

The cemetery at West Garland was established in 
1837, by vote of the town, and the land therefor was 
purchased of Mr. Lawrence and Russell Murdock. The 
ground was graded by the voluntary labor of the public 
spirited citizens of West Garland. 



Fall Elections 

The legal voters of the town balloted for State and 
other officers on the second Monday of September. 

For governor, Edward Kent, Whig, received eighty- 
six votes; Gorham Parks, Democrat, received eighty-five 
votes. 

For representative to the Legislature, David Harvey, 
Democrat, received eighty -nine votes ; Eleazer W. Snow, 
Whig, received eighty-five votes. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 249 

At a special meeting of the town held on the day of 
the fall elections, it Avas voted to petition the Legislature 
for the passage of a law to require each county in the 
State to make and repair all the roads within its limits. 

Also to "authorize the selectmen to petition the 
Legislature to amend the constitution (of the State) so 
that the compensation of all judicial officers, and their 
time of service, shall be placed within the reach of the 
people and subject to be altered at the pleasure of the 
Legislature." 

The legal voters balloted a second time on October 2 
for representative to the Legislature, when Daniel Chase, 
Democrat, received eighty votes; Eleazer W. Snow, 
Whig, received eighty-four votes. 

On a third trial to elect a representative, Garland 
gave Daniel Chase, eighty-three votes; Eleazer W. 
Snow, seventy-five votes. 

A movement was made this year (1837) to divide 
Penobscot County, and to establish a new county to be 
known as Piscataquis County. The original purpose was 
to embody the tier of towns that embraced the town of 
Garland in the new county. As the business relations 
of this tier of towns were almost solely with Bangor, its 
citizens were strongly opposed to incorporation with the 
proposed new county. 

At a special meeting held October 2, 1837, the town 
voted to remonstrate against division, and in case of 
division, to petition the Legislature to be left in the old 
county. The desire expressed in the petition was real- 
ized, and Garland still remains in the old county. 



250 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 



Hard Times 

The year 1837 was, to many citizens of Maine, a 
period of disappointment and hardship, engendered by 
wild speculation in Eastern lands. Some men had sud- 
denly become rich, but many more had lost the slowly 
acquired accumulations of years. The sufferers were 
mainly residents of cities and larger towns. Residents 
in the country towns had nothing to invest in speculative 
ventures and therefore lost nothing directly. 

As in other years, the farms that had been brought 
into a productive condition afforded the families of their 
owners a livelihood and means to pay current expenses. 
But there was a class of farmers who were beginning on 
new farms that were more seriously affected by the pre- 
vailing financial conditions. Mr. A. W. Straw, a well- 
known citizen of Bangor, who then was a boy in his 
father's home at Garland, gives the following narration. 

His father, Mr. James Straw, had purchased a new 
farm where he was struggling to support a large family. 
At the close of the spring's work he found that the 
family supplies were running short. He had no money. 
As in the case of his independent neighbors, credit 
would not avail for the purchase of food supplies. As 
the only resort, he took his two older boys, A. W. and 
James M., into the cedar growth where the three, by 
several days of severe labor, made shingles enough to 
load a yoke of oxen. 

The shingles were loaded upon a wagon and the father, 
taking rations for himself and oxen from the scanty 
supply at home, started on his toilsome journey to Ban- 
gor, traveling by day, and sleeping under his wagon at 
night. 

The shingles were sold to Abner Taylor at one dollar 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 251 

and fifty cents per thousand and, with the proceeds, he 
purchased supplies for his family, and returned home, 
having been absent four days and three nights. By 
industry and economy, the Straw family soon came into 
line with their more independent neighbors. 



Surplus Revenue 

For several years anterior to the year 1837, the reve- 
nues of the United States government were in excess of 
its expenditures. By an act of Congress this surplus 
was distributed to the several states, and by them, to the 
towns within their respective limits. The town of Gar- 
land promptly indicated its acceptance of the proffered 
gift. Charles Reynolds was appointed an agent by the 
town "to demand and receive from the State treasury 
the portion of said money belonging to the town of 
Garland," and was authorized to receipt therefor. In 
pursuance of instructions, Mr. Reynolds transferred this 
money, amounting to about two thousand dollars, from 
the State treasury to the town treasury. 



An Elephant 

Now that the money was in the hands of the town, 
the question that confronted its citizens was — What 
shall we do with it? Men who had been blessed with 
large families, favored a per capita distribution. Men 
whose action was controlled by their sympathy for the 



252 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

poor, favored the purchase of a home for that unfor- 
tunate class. 

Another class thought that it should constitute a fund, 
the interest of which should be used from year to year, 
for the benefit of the public schools. There were others 
who were in favor of loaning it in small sums to inhabi- 
tants of the town who desired to hire it. The last 
named proposition was adopted by a vote of the town. 

At a special meeting held March 11, 1837, Ezekiel 
Straw, Enoch Huntington and Jeremiah Flanders, were 
appointed a committee to invest Garland's share of the 
fund. This committee was instructed to lend it to 
inhabitants of Garland only, in sums ranging from fifty 
to one hundred dollars, on demand notes, drawing inter- 
est, each note to be indorsed by two responsible parties, 
freeholders, residing in the town, who were to be jointly 
and severally held with the principal for the payment of 
the notes, which were to run until the annual meeting of 
1838. No person would be accepted as surety for more 
than $100. 

Borrowers were plenty, and the surplus fund soon dis- 
appeared from the treasury, notes payable on demand 
taking its place, with the understanding that demand 
for payment would be made on, or before, the date of 
the annual town meeting of 1838. As in the case of all 
promises to pay, the date for the payment of these notes 
came round with relentless punctuality to find a majority 
of the promisers were not ready to pay. At the annual 
town meeting of 1838, the men of large families came 
to the front and demanded that the fund should be dis- 
tributed to the inhabitants of the town per capita. 
This demand was carried by a vote of the town. The 
treasurer of the fund was directed to collect forthwith 
all that was still out on loan, and deposit it in the 
treasury. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 253 

Ikit it was soon discovered that it had been easier to 
lend money in 1837 than to collect it in 1838. The 
best efforts of the treasurer to collect proved unavailing. 
At a special meeting held Ma}' 5, 1838, the town voted 
to distribute two dollars and seven cents of the surplus 
fund to each individual enumerated in the census for the 
distribution of the said fund. This action involved the 
necessity of a special enumeration of the inhabitants of 
the town to fix the basis of distribution. 

Although the town had voted to pay each inhabitant 
two dollars and seven cents, it had made no provision to 
obtain the funds necessary to carry out the purposes of 
this vote. This neglect was followed by much excite- 
ment, to allay which a special meeting of the voters was 
held on the 14th of July, 1838, "To see if the town 
will hire one thousand dollars, or any other sum, and 
settle with individuals on account of the surplus fund or 
take any other method thought best when met. ' ' 

This proposition to hire one thousand dollars to pay 
the beneficiaries of the fund indicated approximately the 
sum that still remained uncollected. Upon the article, 
"To see if the town will hire one thousand dollars, or 
any other sum, and settle with individuals on account of 
the surplus fund," it was voted at the meeting of July 
14, 1838, "That the treasurer is hereby empowered to 
hire on the credit of the town a sufficient sum of money 
to pay off the surplus fund debt before the annual meet- 
ing in September next." But the treasurer failed to 
accomplish the purpose of this vote. 



254 HISTOKY OF GARLAND, MAINE 



Garland in 1838 

Meetings for town business were of frequent occurrence 
in 1838, some of which wei'e barren of results. The 
officers of the town were Russell Murdock, moderator; 
Nehemiah Bartlett, town clerk ; Enoch Huntington, 
Charles Reynolds and Samuel Skillin, selectmen; Joseph 
True, Jr., treasurer; Samuel W. Knight, collector; and 
Daniel M. Haskell, Lyndon Oak and Asa Barton, super- 
intending school committee. 

The town appropriated five hundred dollars for 
schools, four hundred dollars for town charges, and two 
thousand dollars for highways. One hundred dollars, 
cash, was voted for the northwest county road. 

A special meeting was held on May 5, at which appli- 
cations of two new citizens, Solomon and Phineas Gee, 
emigrants from England, for a pro rata share of the 
surplus revenue fund were considered. These citizens, 
not having been naturalized, the applications were not 
granted. Various propositions for the location, repair 
and building of roads were acted upon adversely. 

Another special meeting was held on July 14, which 
was devoted mainly to considerations relating to roads. 
A road craze seemed to have settled upon the inhabitants 
of the town. At a special meeting held September 10, 
Samuel Skillin, Nehemiah Bartlett and Edward B. Holt 
were appointed to prepare plans, and to contract for the 
building of a bridge across the Kenduskeag Stream at 
Holt's Mills. The selectmen were again instructed to 
remonstrate against the annexation of Garland to the 
new county of Piscataquis, also to petition the Legisla- 
ture for a law requiring each county to build and keep 
in repair the county roads within its own limits. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 255 

The annual State election of 1838 was held on Sep- 
tember 10. 

John Fairfield, Democratic candidate for governor, 
received one hundred and thirty votes ; Edward Kent, 
Whig, received ninety votes. 

For representative to Congress, Thomas Davee, 
Democrat, received one hundred and thirty votes ; John 
S. Tenney, Whig, received ninety votes. 

For representative to the Legislature, Joseph True, 
Democrat, received one hundred and twenty-nine votes; 
Asa Barton, Whig, received ninety votes. 

The first movement for the building of a town hall 
was made in 1838. Under the lead of Joseph Bartlett, 
afterwards a prominent citizen of Bangor, and editor of 
The JefFersonian, (newspaper) individuals offered to 
supply gratuitously a considerable amount of lumber for 
the construction of a building, whose roof sliould cover 
a room for a high school, and a hall for town business 
and public gatherings. But the plan was in advance of 
public sentiment and failed of realization. 



Garland's Artillery Company 

A company of artillery was organized in 1838 through 
the influence and active exertions of Col. John S. 
Kimball of Bangor, who at that time resided at Garland. 
Col. Kimball possessed an ardent military temperament, 
and much experience in military matters. He drew into 
the organization many of the most respectable inhabi- 
tants of the town of military age. He was the first 
captain of the company, and he succeeded in investing 
its members with a good degree of military pride. 



256 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 



He was succeeded in the captaincy of the company by 
Fifield Lyford, who in turn was followed by John S. 
Runnals. Some of its lieutenants were, A. M. Haskell, 
Isaac Fall and Ezekiel Page. 

A substantial building of ample dimensions was con- 
structed for an armory and drill hall. The State fur- 
nished two brass field-pieces whose deep intonations 
resounded through the town on public occasions, some- 
times awaking the sleepy inhabitants at unseasonable 
hours. The company was regarded with pride by the 
citizens of the town. It is regretted that the company 
rolls have not been saved so that a full list of its mem- 
bers could be given. A partial list embraces the follow- 
in a: names : 



John S. Kimball, 
Fifield Lyford, 
Ezekiel Page, 
M. C. Emei'son, 
John P. Smith, 
Richmond Osgood, 
A. M. Haskell, 
John S. Runnals, 
Samuel Skillin, 
Josiah Skillin, 



Leonard Skillin, 
Noah Burnham, 
Mark Burnham, 
Luther Rideout, 
Thomas Fifield, 
Moody Bailey, 
Lebbeus Oak, 
Stephen B. Dockham, 
Albert Skinner. 



A Foreign Venture 



In the year 1838, Capt. Fifield Lyford, who owned 
the village mill property at Garland, conceived the plan 
of shipping to London a cargo of lumber of the descrip- 
tions known as bird's-eye maple and curly birch, which 
were sometimes used in the manufacture of furniture. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 257 

The lumber was sawed at his mill, hauled to Bangor by 
team, and shipped to London. Capt. Lyford took 
passage in the same vessel to attend to the sale of the 
lumber. 

In due time the cargo arrived at London in good con- 
dition and was readily sold at good prices. Elated at 
his good fortune in the disposition of his cargo and the 
attentions of its generous purchaser, who showed him 
some of the sights of London, and possibly excited by a 
favorite beverage in which he sometimes indulged, he 
soared to the realm of a lofty idealism from which he 
disclosed to his new friend, areas of land of almost limit- 
less extent which were covered with magnificent forest 
growths. So realistic were his descriptions, that one 
could almost hear the cheery voices of his workmen, the 
ringing blows of their axes. Before leaving London, he 
ordered made and sent to him some costly articles for 
his personal use, one of which was a gun to cost one 
hundred dollars. 

On his return home, he gradually came from his dizzy 
height to a level with his neighbors. The one hundred 
dollar gun was received in due time, but finding that his 
pocketbook had collapsed, and that he could put it to 
no use commensurate with its cost, he returned it to the 
manufacturers. 



The Advent of the Martin Family 

On a pleasant spring morning of 1839, a procession 
of horse-carts of the Canadian pattern entered the vil- 
lage and moved slowly up the principal street. In the 
forward cart were a man, woman and two boys of tender 
age. The other carts contained furniture of humble 



258 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

descriptions. A sight so unusual and, withal, so novel, 
in the quiet village of Garland, aroused the curiosity of 
the women, who were engaged in their spring house- 
cleaning, and of the girls and boys who were at their 
sports on the street. It must also be confessed that 
the more phlegmatic citizens of the male gender, though 
not so conspicuous on the street, were peering from win- 
dows of shop and store with unusual curiosity. 

In human affairs, each event can be traced to some 
antecedent cause of which it is the consequent ; so the 
cause of the sudden appearance of the strangers in our 
village was soon developed. The procession halted in 
the center of the village, when the man inquired for 
Capt. Lyford, the great land owner. A troop of small 
boys rushed forth at the top of their speed in search of 
the doughty captain, who soon put in an appearance. 
Both men disclosed a large degree of surprise at the close 
of a brief conversation, and it will never be known which 
one was the more surprised. 

While in a stale of high exaltation in London a year 
earlier, the Captain was introduced to a Mr. Martin, an 
accomplished bookkeeper, to whom he promised em- 
ployment if he would come to America. Now Mr. 
Martin, although an expert accountant and bookkeeper, 
could earn enough in his profession by close application 
to support his family, yet like other men of his class, 
his prospect for doing more than this in I^ondon at that 
time, was dubious. He soon became conscious of a 
purpose to emigrate to America, which, although weak 
at first gathered strength as the weeks rolled on, and 
ripened into determination. 

Early in the spring of 1839, he had saved enough to 
pay for the passage of himself and family to Canada, 
and thence to Maine. Mr. Martin was soon forced to 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 259 

the painful consciousness that the great land owner was 
a myth. 

He had spent his little all in getting here to find him- 
self among strangers, out of money, and destitute of 
employment. He was unfitted for any out of door 
labor. Fortunately he found shelter in the village for 
his family and furniture, but was soon destitute of 
food. Kind neighbors provided for their immediate 
wants. The attention of the town authorities was soon 
called to their condition and their needs were supplied 
by public, instead of private charity, for a brief time. 



"All is Well That Ends Well" 

Col. John S. Kimball, a former citizen of Bangor, was 
a resident of Garland at the date of the arrival of the 
Martin family. The condition of the family appealed 
to his sympathies and, with characteristic generosity, he 
obtained for him a situation as bookkeeper for Gen. 
Veazie of Bangor. The value of his services soon became 
known to the business men of that place, and he had no 
difficulty in finding emploj-ment as long as he remained 
there. A few years later. Gen. Veazie employed him as 
manager and salesman of a shipload of merchandise 
bound to California, Finding a demand for his services 
there, he sent for his family and became a resident of 
California. 



260 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

Garland in 1839 

At the annual town meeting of 1839, held March 11, 
the officers chosen were Russell Murdock, moderator ; 
Charles Reynolds, town clerk; Charles Reynolds, Samuel 
Skillin and Nehemiah Bartlett, selectmen ; Joseph True 
Jr., treasurer; Nehemiah Bartlett, town agent; Asa 
Barton, Lyndon Oak and Rev. S. S. Drake, super- 
intending school committee, and James Greeley, collector 
of taxes, compensation three per cent. 

The towTi appropriated five hundred dollars for 
schools, six hundred dollars for town charges, and two 
thousand dollars for roads. As usual the town was 
road ridden. Of the thirty-one articles in the warrant 
calling the annual meeting of 1839, six related to town 
officers, four to appropriations, five to incidental matters 
and the remaining sixteen articles related to roads. At 
a special meeting, held September 9, of the eight prop- 
ositions acted on, five related to roads. 

The annual State election w^as held September 9. For 
governor, John Fairfield, Democrat, received one hundred 
and fourteen votes ; Edward Kent, Whig, received ninety- 
four votes. 

For representative to the Legislature, Zebulon 
Bradley, Democrat, received one hundred and fourteen 
votes; Nathaniel Huckins, Whig, received ninety-three 
votes. 

At a special meeting held on the day of the State 
election, the following question was submitted to the 
voters of the towns of the State: "Shall the constitu- 
tion of the State be so amended as to strike out the 
fourth section of the sixth article and substitute in the 
room thereof the words following, viz: Section fourth: 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 261 

All judicial officers now in office, or who may be ap- 
pointed hereafter, shall from, and after the first day of 
March in the year of our Loi-d 1840 hold their offices 
for the term of seven years from the time of their re- 
spective appointments (unless sooner removed by im- 
peacnment, or by address of both branches of the Legis- 
lature to the Executive) and no longer unless re- 
appointed thereto." Upon this question the town gave 
one hundred and thirteen affirmative, and twenty-five 
negative votes. 

At a special meeting, held December 9, 1839, Asa 
Barton, Samuel W. Knight, and James J. Chandler 
were appointed a committee to receive offers for the sale 
of a farm suitable for a home for the unfortunate poor, 
and were instructed to report to the town at the annual 
meeting of 1840. Upon the report of this committee, 
it was voted that Asa Barton, James J. Chandler, Enoch 
Huntington, Jeremiah Flanders and Daniel M. Haskell 
be a committee to purchase a farm whereon to support 
the poor. But this committee was hedged by limita- 
tions which frustrated the well-meant attempt to benefit 
an unfortunate class of our citizens. 



Garland in the Aroostook War 

To the inhabitants of Garland and other towns in 
eastern Maine, the exciting event of 1839 was the call 
for men to defend the territory contiguous to New 
Brunswick which was claimed by both that province and 
the State of Maine. The origin of the dispute between 
the two sections was the indefiniteness of the terms by 
which the dividing line had been described in the treaty 



262 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

of 1783, between the United States and Great Britain. 
The crisis came in 1839. Earl}^ in that year, the 
Governor of Maine, John Fairfield, was officially notified 
that citizens of New Brunswick were plundering the dis- 
puted territory of its best timber. 

The Governor immediately dispatched the sheriff of 
Penobscot County, Hastings Strickland, with a posse 
numbering one hundred and fifty to two hundred men 
to drive the plunderers off. The sheriff started from 
Bangor with his posse on the 5th day of February. 

The plunderers, three hundred in number, having been 
apprized of the sheriff's approach, broke into the arsenal 
at Woodstock, armed themselves with muskets and 
assumed a defensive attitude, but, hearing that the 
sherifTs posse had a six pounder cannon they prudently 
retired to a point within British territory. 

At this juncture, a conference was held at the tavern 
of one Fitzherbert which was participated in by Land 
Agent Mclntire and his friends, G. G. Cushman and 
Colonel Webster of Orono, on the one side, and a Mr. 
McLaughlin, British warden of the disputed territory, 
and a few friends on the other. 

During the following night the land agent and his 
friends were seized by a party of forty armed men and 
carried on an ox-sled to Woodstock, where they were com- 
mitted to the Frederickton jail. On February 14th 
Sheriif Strickland suddenl}- reappeared in Bangor, having 
performed the journey from the "seat of war" by a 
wild ride of two days, which had been facilitated by 
relays of horses at regular intervals. His rapid and 
dramatic recital of the events had, together with the 
exciting news of the day following (Feb. 15th,) of the 
treacherous seizure of our land agent and his companions 
and the humiliating treatment they had received, raised 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 263 

the war spirit to a fever heat. Measures for the rescue 
of the prisoners were immediately adopted. 

Two days later an event occurred which rendered the 
execution of these measures unnecessary. On Sunday, 
Feb. 17th, the Houlton stage brought in as prisoner the 
British land warden, McLaughlin, who participated in 
the parley at Fitzherbert's. He was attended by a 
guard of stalwart men, one of whom was John Tarbox 
of Garland. The news of the arrival of McLaughlin 
spread through the city like wildfire. In an incredibly 
short time the streets were filled Avith spectators eager to 
see the Britisher. The weather being cold the warden 
was protected by a large bearskin overcoat, which in 
the heated state of the popular sentiment, made it easy 
to transform the man into the animal whose skin he 
wore. With a vivid remembrance of the treatment 
awarded our land agent and his friends, Mr. McLaughlin 
feared violence at the hands of the crowd. He was, 
however, provided with quarters at the Bangor House 
and kindly treated during his stay. 

The events which have been narrated came upon the 
people of this section with startling suddenness. Less 
than two weeks had elapsed since they received the first 
intimation of the danger of a rupture between the 
United States and Great Britain in consequence of the 
northeastern boundary dispute. But it had assumed a 
serious aspect. Major General Hodsdon issued orders on 
February 17th for a draft of one thousand men from the 
eastern division of the Maine militia who were required 
to appear at Bangor on Tuesday, the 19th inst. 

In this division were four companies of artillery, — one 
each at Bangor, Garland, Lincoln and Orland. The 
requisition upon this company at Garland was for 
thirty-two men. On Monday, February 18th, the artil- 
lery men were drawn up in line in the center of the village 



264 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

and a call was made for volunteers. A few young men, 
who had no families to leave behind, responded. 

A draft was then resorted to to secure the full number 
required. The personnel of the quota was as follows: 
Daniel M. Haskell, Wm. Haskell, Gardiner Smith, 
Luther Rideout, Ezekiel Page, John P. Smith, Thos. B. 
Fifield, Daniel E. Fifield, Moody Bailey, John S. 
Runnals, Joseph Bartlett, Isaac Wheeler, Jr. , Hiram F. 
Godwin, Stephen B. Dockham, Samuel Bridge, Micah 
C. Emerson, Charles Haskell, Andrew M. Haskell, J. 
B. Reed, Samuel Knight, Fifield Lyford, Artemas 
Merriam, Robt. P. Davis, Jedediah Kimball, Zenas 
Bartlett, Giles Straw, Samuel A. Hamilton, Albert 
Skinner, Mark Burnham, John Batchelder, Horace 
Batchelder and John C. Ladd. 

Of the four companies the Garland company furnished 
the largest number, in which were many of the leading 
citizens of the town. Its present citizens may be 
pardoned, if while recounting these names, they indulge 
in a feeling of pride regarding the character of their 
quota. 

The men were drafted on the afternoon of Monday 
and after spending a few hours in arranging their busi- 
ness affairs the}^ took hasty leave of their families and 
presented themselves at Bangor on the following day. 
They were mustered into service Wednesday, February 
20 th. 

The quotas of the four companies, numbering about 
eighty men, formed a battalion which went into quarters 
at City-Point Block. After a stop of two days for 
necessary preparations, they started on their long march 
to the frontier. The route determined on was up the 
Penobscot River to Moluncus, thence to the Aroostook 
River by way of Patten, and from there on the ice to 
Fort Fairfield. In the march to Patten the company 



HISTOEY OF GARLAND, MAINE 265 

was quartered at night at the following places : Milford, 
Lincoln and Moluncus, reaching Patten at the end of 
the fourth day. On the morning of the fifth day the 
inarch towards the Aroostook River was resumed, but it 
was arrested at an early hour by the appearance of a 
courier with the information that the ice on the Aroos- 
took had been submerged by a freshet, rendering travel on 
that river impracticable. The battalion was ordered to 
return to Moluncus. On the return march, it camped 
at night at Benedicta. Here some of the privates pur- 
chased a rooster for amusement. This bird, following 
the fortunes of the battalion in all its subsequent 
marches, may be regarded as a prototype of the war 
eagle, "Old Abe," which followed the fortunes of a 
Wisconsin regiment through the War of the Rebellion. 
He soon became familiar with military life and partici- 
pated in its excitements. When the big guns thundered 
he would instantly mount his perch, spread his wings 
and crow to the extent of his capacit}", which was not 
small. He soon became the pet of the battalion. 

From Moluncus to Houlton the march was on the 
military road, the battalion encamping one night be- 
tween the two places, and Houlton was reached at the 
end of eight days' march from Bangor. It remained 
there about two weeks. 

At Houlton an incident occurred which afforded much 
amusement. A ruse was planned by some of the officers 
to determine whether the night guard was attentive to 
its duties. A cannon had been placed in position just 
outside the barracks. On the night of the execution of 
the plan, our well known and honored townsman, Daniel 
M. Haskell, was officer of the guard. At an hour when 
sleep was supposed to have the fullest control of its 
subjects, the attention of the officer was called to a 
slight noise in the vicinity of the cannon. Rushing 



266 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

outside to find the cause, a man was seen retreating in 
great haste into the surrounding darkness. The officer 
stepped inside to await developments. The disturbance 
was soon repeated. Instantly stepping out he found 
himself in close proximity to a man, the shortness of 
whose limbs put him at disadvantage in the race. The 
pursuer came up with him as he was scaling a fence and 
grabbing him, soon brought him to bay, when he was 
surprised to find that he had captured the good-natured 
Major of the battalion. On their way together towards 
the barracks, they found the cannon moving away from 
its position. The officer soon overtook it and cutting 
the rope by which it was hauled, brought it to a dead 
stop. Another officer of the artillery, a man of gigan- 
tic size, tried to run the guard the same night and found 
himself in the clutches of two privates where he was 
held much against his will until the officer of the guard 
leisurely ordered his release. There is no account of 
attempts by the officers to further test the fidelity of 
the night guard. 

The sudden death of a citizen of Garland, Calvin S. 
Wheeler, who was not connected with the battalion, 
occurred during the encampment at Houlton. His 
remains were attended home by his brother, Isaac 
Wheeler, and his cousin, Wm. S. Haskell. 

After a stop at Houlton of about two weeks the 
battalion was ordered to Fort Fairfield which was 
reached by a march of three days. The first night's 
encampment was at Bridgewater and the second at 
Presque Isle. Quarters for the soldiers were in readi- 
ness. 

While at this place the daily routine was much the 
same as at Houlton. Men were detailed to assist in the 
construction of a building for a storehouse and officers' 
quarters. Military drills and guard duties were of 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 267 

every-day occurrence. The monotony of camp life was 
mitigated by such amusements as could be devised. 

Many of the superior officers were on terms of 
pleasant intimacy with the soldier}^ when off duty. 
Major General Hodsdon was accustomed to drop into 
the soldiers' quarters and chat familiarly with the 
men. Among the games prohibited was card playing. 

On one evening when the interdicted game was briskly 
going on at several points, General Hodsdon made 
a sudden appearance at the entrance of the quarters. 
The cards were instantly brushed aside, and the players, 
with an air of great innocence, were zealously joining in 
a camp song which had been going on. After spending 
an hour in familiar conversation with officers and privates 
the General arose to retire. On reaching the door he 
turned and bidding them a pleasant good night, left 
with the admonition, "Don't sing too late boys." 

Affairs at the Fort went on from day to day in even 
flow, but the flow of sleep was suddenly interrupted on 
one occasion. At midnight the faint report of a musket 
from the picket-guard down by the river was heard. 
Instantly crack, crack, crack, came from a dozen muskets 
in the hands of as many guards. The artillery men 
sprang from their beds into their clothing and formed in 
line on the parade-ground. The Dexter riflemen were in 
line in front of them. The night was intensely cold 
and the men impatiently awaited orders to move. 
Presently the riflemen started on a brisk march towards 
the river. Through a misapprehension of orders, the 
artillery followed. They had moved only a short dis- 
tance when they were confronted by General Hodsdon 
who sharply demanded their reason for moving without 
orders. Private Kimball of the Garland company 
instantly replied, "to gather up the riflemen's boots as 
fast as they are killed." As the movement was the 



HISTOKY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

result of a false alarm to test the mettle of the men, 
Private Kimball escaped the reprimand he might other- 
wise have received. Both companies were ordered back 
into line on the parade-ground, when, the roll being 
called, every man was found to be present. General 
Hodsdon briefly addressed them, telling them an amus- 
ing story to illustrate the contrast between their behavior, 
and that he had witnessed at another time and place, 
where men (?) upon a similar call had secreted them- 
selves in chimneys and ovens. He complimented them 
highly for their promptness in answering the call and 
bade them a kind good-night. The men fled to their 
berths with as much alacrity as the}' had manifested a 
little earlier in answering the call to arms. 

The imbroglio engendered by the northeastern 
boundary dispute was now nearing its close. There had 
been proclamations and counter-proclamations by the 
parties to the dispute, and marchings and counter- 
marchings by the soldiery on both sides. Among civil- 
ians, the war spirit had ebbed and flowed at intervals. 

Early in March, General Scott appeared on the scene 
in behalf of the United States government, and imme- 
diately commenced negotiations for the peaceable adjust- 
ment of the questions in dispute. He opened corres- 
pondence with Sir John Harvey, Governor of New 
Brunswick, from whom he obtained concessions which 
were accepted by our State authorities. This was fol- 
lowed in due time by a recall of the war forces at the 
front. The date of the recall was about the 10th of 
April. On the 17th of April the troops reentered 
Bangor. 

The pet rooster, which had been purchased at Benedicta 
on the march to the front, still adhered to the fortunes 
of the artillery. On the march homeward he had been 
gaily decked in a scarlet uniform, and upon the entrance 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 269 

of the troops into the city he mounted his perch on the 
top of the ammunition carriage and defiantly turned his 
head towards the enemy's country amid the plaudits of 
the crowds on the streets. 

The troops went into quarters on Thomas Hill. 
While awaiting payment and discharge the artillery 
occasionally marched down town in ranks. On one occa- 
sion by the invitation of the leading business men one 
of the field-pieces was taken down to the square at the 
foot of Hammond street to give an exhibition of one 
phase of artillery practice. The piece was loaded on 
Exchange street and drawn back by the horses at a vio- 
lent gait and discharged in the square. This was 
repeated several times ; but every discharge of the can- 
non brought down a shower of glass from the windows 
in the neighborhood. This kind of practice soon became 
distasteful even to its projectors, and was discontinued 
after a few sample rounds. 

On the 23d day of April, the artillery men were paid 
off and discharged, having had sixty-three days' service. 

Of the thirty-two men who went from the artillery 
company there was only one substitute. It was a body 
of men who would command the respect of any com- 
munity. One of them, a teacher in our schools, after- 
wards became a prominent citizen of Bangor and the 
editor of an influential newspaper. Many of them were 
afterwards prominent in town affairs, and four of them 
have represented the towns of their class in the lower 
branch of the Legislature. 

Our well known townsman, Stephen D. Jennings, who 
has long been a resident of Garland, went to the front 
with that fine military organization, the Dexter Rifle 
Company, being at that time a citizen of Dexter. 

In addition to the thirty-two men from the company 
of artillery, seven men were drafted from the militia for 



270 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

service in the Aroostook War. Among these were Aaron 
Hill, Amos Gordon, Nehemiah Bartlett 1st, Peter Pills- 
bury and William French. Of these, the first two were 
represented by substitutes. The others went to the 
Aroostook. Benjamin Garland, John Tarbox, and per- 
haps others went to the front in the sheriff's posse. 

It was a dizzy whirl of events that intervened between 
the call for one thousand men and the date of the march 
for the front. The call was made on February 17th; 
the men of the company were notified to appear for 
draft on the morning of the 18th; the draft was made 
on the afternoon of the same day ; the drafted men pre- 
sented themselves at Bangor on the 19th, were mustered 
into service on the 20th and started on the march to the 
front on the 21st. Happily they were not called on to 
do any fighting, but when fighting seemed inevitable 
there was no flinching. 



Growth From 1830 to 1840 

During the period intervening between 1830 and 
1840, the town had been fairly prosperous. The popu- 
lation had increased from six hundred and thirty-one to 
one thousand and sixtj'-five, an increase of more than 
sixty-five per cent. The growth of the village during 
the same period had been slow. In 1840, there were 
only fifteen families within the present village. This 
slow growth was largely due to the fact that eligible 
building lots were held at a price, or hampered by con- 
ditions that repelled those who desired to make homes 
therein. 

Among the events of this period, were the rebuilding 
of the long bridge in 1830, the rebuilding of the grist- 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 271 

mill by Reuben Bartlett, the designation of the month 
of March for holding future annual meetings for town 
business, the accident that terminated the life of Gar- 
land's most prominent citizen, the Hon. Reuben 
Bartlett, the division among the different religious soci- 
eties of the unappropriated ministerial fund, the build- 
ing of the Avenue road, the five trials to elect a rep- 
resentative to the Legislature, and the heavy fall of 
snow in November, 1836, the acquisition by the town 
of its share of the surplus revenue, the severe, and oft 
recurring burdens of road making, the hardships engen- 
dered by the dearth of money, the completion and dedi- 
cation of the Congregational meeting house, and the 
beginning of the pastorate of the Rev. Samuel S. Drake 
over the Congregational church in 1837, the organization 
of a company of artillery in 1838, and the call for men 
for the defense of our territory adjoining New Bruns- 
wick in 1839. 



Garland in 1840 

At the annual meeting of 1840, held March 9, 
Russell Murdock was chosen moderator; Charles 
Reynolds, town clerk ; Daniel M. Haskell, Enoch 
Huntington and Ezekiel Page, selectmen and assessors, 
and Asa Barton, Rev. S. S. Drake and Lj'ndon Oak, 
superintending school committee. 

David Skillin was chosen collector and treasurer, and 
was instructed to discount six per cent, upon all taxes 
paid on, or before, the first day of August, four per 
cent, on taxes paid on, or before, the first day of Novem- 
ber and two per cent, on taxes paid on, or before Febru- 



272 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

ary 1, 1841, and to collect forthwith all taxes unpaid at 
the last mentioned date, either by himself or deputy. 



Appropriations in 1840 

Appropriations for 1840 were six hundred dollars for 
schools, one thousand two hundred dollars for town 
charges, two hundred and fifty dollars to support the 
poor, two thousand dollars for making and repairing 
roads to be paid in labor, and a cash appropriation of 
one hundred and fifty dollars for same purpose. High 
taxes had become the cause of serious complaint. 
Almost every taxpayer seemed to believe that his taxes 
were relatively higher than those of his neighbor's. So 
general was the complaint that a citizen of waggish 
tendencies got an article inserted in the call for the 
annual meeting of 1840 "to see if the town will vote to 
let every man assess his own taxes." 



Fall Elections, 1840 

The annual State election was held September 14. 
For governor, John Fifield, Democrat, received one 
hundred and fifteen votes. Edward Kent, Whig, received 
ninety-nine votes. 

For representative to Congress, Hannibal Hamlin, 
Democrat, received one hundred and fifteen votes. 
Elisha H. Allen, Whig, received ninety-nine votes. 

For representative to the Legislature, Levi Bradley, 



HISTORY OF GAELAND, MAINE 27S 

Democrat, received one hundred and fifteen votes. E. 
T. Morrill, Whig, received ninety-nine votes. 

There having been no election for representative to 
the Legislature at first trial, a second trial occurred 
October 5, when Levi Rradley received one hundred and 
nine votes. E. T. 3.!' rill received ninety votes. 

The presidential election of 1840 was held on Novem- 
ber 2, The candidates were William H. Harrison, 
Whig, and Martin Van Buren, Democrat. The Harrison 
electors received one hundred and one votes, and the 
Van Buren electors received one hundred and twenty-four 
votes. In the country at large there was a majority for 
William H. Harrison. 



Garland in 1841 

At the annual town meeting of 1841, held March 8, 
Joseph Prescott was chosen moderator; Charles Reynolds, 
town clerk ; Daniel M. Haskell, Samuel W. Knight and 
Joseph True, selectmen and assessors ; Asa Barton, Joseph 
Bartlett and Rev. Samuel S. Drake, superintending 
school committee, and David Skillin, collector and treas- 
urer. The compensation for collecting and disbursing 
was fixed at two and one half per cent. 

The appropriations were six hundred dollars for 
schools, two hundred dollars for the support of the poor, 
six hundred dollars to defray town charges, two thousand 
dollars to make and repair roads, to be paid in labor, 
also cash appropriations of two hundred dollars to be 
expended on the northwest county road, one hundred 
and twenty-five dollars for the Avenue road, two hundred 
dollars for the county road leading to Dover, and fifty 



274 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

dollars for a town road in the southeast part of the 
town. 

At a special meeting held September 13, of the twelve 
items of business acted on, seven related to roads. 



The Fall Election of 1841 

The election for State and other officers was held Sep- 
tember 13. For governor, John Fairfield, Democrat, 
received one hundred and twenty-three votes ; Edward 
Kent, Whig, received one hundred and four votes. 

For representative to the Legislature, Charles 
Reynolds, Democrat, received one hundred and twenty- 
three votes ; David Skillin, Whig, received one hundred 
and two votes; Josiah Bartlett, Anti-Slavery, received 
three votes. 

It will be seen that in the year of grace, 1841, a new 
element appeared in the politics of Garland. It was 
significant that this element began to manifest itself, 
feebly, indeed, in nearly all the voting precincts of the 
free states. This class of voters, together with many 
others, who were not ready to sever the ties that bound 
them to old political parties, believed in their simplicity, 
that the asseverations embodied in the declaration of 
independence, "that all men are created free and equal, 
that they are endowed with certain inalienable rights 
among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happi- 
ness," were not simply rhetorical flourishes or glittering 
generalities as politicians would have them believe, but 
eternal verities. 

The cardinal article of the creed of this new party 
was unalterable opposition to the further encroachments 



HISTOEY OF GARLAND, MAINE 275 

of slavery upon the free territory of the United States. 
It was not a popular party in its infancy. Its votes 
were classed as scattering in the papers which meant — 
thrown away. It was stigmatized as "the party of one 
idea. ' ' Nevertheless, the force of this one idea elected 
Abraham Lincoln to the presidency a few years later, 
and this event was soon followed by the banishment of 
the curse of slavery from the United States. 



The Avenue Road 

At a special meeting of the town of 1841, held Sep- 
tember 11, the question of building the Avenue road 
came up for final action. The town had remonstrated 
against laying it out, had petitioned for its discontinu- 
ance, had pursued a dilatory policy in making it. In 
view of the delay, the county commissioners decided to 
appoint an agent to do the work, whereupon the town 
voted to instruct the selectmen to begin the making of 
it, and to complete it by the first of October, 1842. 
This was satisfactory to the commissioners who refrained 
from further action. 



Garland in 1842 

At the annual meeting of 1842, held March 14, 
Joseph Prescott was chosen moderator; Lorenzo Oak, 
town clerk ; Nehemiah Bartlett, John I. D. Sanford and 
David Skillin, selectmen and assessors; Nehemiah 
Bartlett, treasurer ; Rev. Samuel S. Drake, Lorenzo Oak 



276 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

and Daniel M. Haskell, superintending school commit- 
tee and Luther Rideout, collector, whose compensation 
was fixed at two per cent. 

The appropriations were six hundred dollars for 
schools, one hundred and fifty dollars for the support of 
the poor, four hundred dollars to defray town charges, 
and two thousand dollars for roads, to be paid in labor. 
Also cash appropriations of two hundred dollars for the 
Dover county road, eight hundred dollars for the Avenue 
road, and one hundred and fifty dollars for road at Holt's 
Mills. 



Fall Election of 1842 

The annual election for State and other officers was 
held September 12. For governor, John P'airfield, 
Democrat, received one hundred and five votes; Edwin 
Robinson, Whig, received fifty-two votes; James 
Appleton, Anti-Slavery, received twenty votes. 

On and after 1842, Exeter and Garland constituted a 
Representative class. For representative to the Legis- 
lature, Smith Libbey, Democrat, of Exeter, received one 
hundred and thi'ee votes; S. M. Rice, Anti-Slavery, of 
Garland, received eight votes. 

As no Whig vote appears at this trial, there seems to 
have been some irregularity of proceeding. A second 
trial to elect a representative to the Legislature was 
made on October 3, 1842, when Smith Libbey, Demo- 
crat, received twenty-one votes; John Cutler, Whig, 
received seventeen votes; Benjamin Evans, Anti Slavery, 
received nine votes. 

There was no election of representatives at this trial. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 277 

A third trial to elect a representative to the Legislature 
occurred on the 24th of October, when Smith Libbey, 
Democrat, of Exeter, received forty-eight votes; 
Benjamin Evans, Anti-Slavery, of Exeter, received 
twenty-five votes. 

Mr. Libbev was now the successful candidate. 



A Notable Anti- Slavery Meeting 

Nearly every member of the two leading churches of 
Garland, the Congregational and Free Baptist, was 
strongly anti-slavery in sentiment. In the autumn or 
early winter of 1842, two prominent citizens of Bangor, 
afterwards known as Judge John E. Godfrey and Hon. 
A. G. Wakefield, came to Garland to address its citizens 
in behalf of the anti-slavery movement. The meeting 
was held in the Congregational meeting house which was 
crowded by eager listeners of Garland and Exeter to the 
earnest appeals in behalf of the victims of African 
slaverv. 



Garland in 1843 

At the annual meeting of 1843, held March 13, the 
officers chosen were Joseph Prescott, moderator ; Lorenzo 
Oak, town clerk; Daniel M. Haskell, Asa Barton and 
Joseph Prescott, selectmen and assessors ; Nehemiah 
Bartlett, treasurer; Rev. Samuel S. Drake, Asa Barton 
and Lorenzo Oak, superintending school committee; 
Luther Rideout, collector of taxes at two per cent. 



278 HISTOEY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

The appropriations were five hundred dollars for 
schools, one hundred and fift}' dollars to support the 
poor, two hundred dollars for town charges, two thous- 
and five hundred dollars for roads, to be paid in labor, 
and cash appropriations of one hundred dollars to pay 
bills incurred the preceding year on the Dover county 
road. The care of the poor was placed in the hands 
of the selectmen. 

The meeting to ballot for governor and other ofiicers 
was held September 11. For governor, Hugh J. 
Anderson, Democrat, received ninety-eight votes; Edwin 
Robinson, Whig, received thirty-three votes; James 
Appleton, Anti-Slaver}', received forty-four votes. 

For representative to Congress, Hannibal Hamlin, 
Democrat, received one hundred votes ; Elisha H. Allen, 
Whig, received thirty-three votes; David Shepherd, 
Anti-Slavery, received forty-four votes. 

The contest for representative to the Legislature in 
1843 was the most remarkable of any in the history of 
the town. Garland and Exeter constituted a representa- 
tive class. Each town furnished the candidate for 
legislative honors on each alternate year, and Garland 
w^as the privileged town in 1843. It had been Demo- 
cratic for many years, and Democratic nominees had been 
sure of large majorities. 

The contest opened on the day of the gubernatorial 
election when Nehemiah Bartlett, Democrat, received 
seventy-one votes; Luther Rideout, Democrat, received 
thirty-three votes; Daniel M. Haskell, Whig, received 
thirty-one votes; John P. Smith, Liberty party, 
received forty-one votes. No choice. 

At the second trial, October 2, Luther Rideout, 
Democrat, received seventy-two votes ; Nehemiah 
Rartlett, Democrat, received sixt3'-eight votes ; John P. 
Smith, Liberty party, received eleven votes. No choice. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE J2T9 

At the third trial, October 23, Nehemiah Bartlett, 
Democrat, received ninety votes; Luther Rideout, Dem- 
ocrat, received eighty-six votes ; John P. Smith, Liberty 
party, received thirteen votes. No choice. 

At the fom-th trial, November 13, Nehemiah Bartlett 
received ninety-eight votes; Luther Rideout received 
sixty-nine votes ; Lewis Goulding received twenty-three 
votes. No choice. 

At the fifth trial, December 4, Nehemiah Bartlett 
received one hundred and three votes ; Luther Rideout 
received eighty-three votes ; Lewis Goulding, Liberty 
party, received fourteen votes. No choice. 

At the sixth trial, the leading Democratic candidates 
having withdrawn, Charles Reynolds, Democrat, received 
eighty votes; Daniel M. Haskell, Whig, received sixty- 
eight votes. No choice. 

At the seventh trial, January 15, 1844, Charles 
Reynolds, Democrat, received sixty-eight votes; Daniel 
M. Haskell, Whig, received sixty-three votes. No 
choice. 

At the eighth trial, February 5, 1844, Lyndon Oak, 
Liberty party, received thirty votes; Charles Reynolds, 
Democrat, received twenty-nine votes ; Daniel M. 
Haskell, Whig, received twenty-eight votes. No choice. 

At the ninth and final trial, February 26, 1844, 
L3'ndon Oak, Liberty party, received thirty-two votes ; 
Charles Reynolds, Democrat, received thirteen votes ; 
Daniel M. Haskell, Whig, received five votes. 

An examination of the result of the ballotings in the 
two towns, Garland and Exeter, disclosed the fact of 
Mr. Oak's election. The legislative session of 1844 
was nearing its close. As soon as the necessary creden- 
tials were placed in his hands, he started for Augusta. 
This was before the time of railroads, and the journey 



280 HISTORY OF GAULAND, MAINE 

was made with horse and sleigh and occupied a part of 
two days. 

On Thursday of the week of his election, he was duly 
qualified and took the seat assigned him in the Repre- 
sentative hall. He believes himself to have been the 
first representative in the Legislature of Maine who was 
elected on the straight anti-slavery issue. Owing no 
allegiance to either political part}', he was at all times 
free to act as his own judgment dictated. He was some- 
times asked in a spirit of derision when we might expect 
the abolition of slavery would be realized. His reply 
in substance was, that there might be a long period of 
waiting for the event, but it was sure to come. It 
proved to be much nearer than the most sanguine antici- 
pated. 

As a member of the House of Representatives of 
1865, Mr. Oak had the satisfaction of voting for the 
ratification of the thirteenth amendment of the consti- 
tution of the United States, which banished the curse of 
African slavery from this country, and from all places 
within its jurisdiction. 

There were incidents connected with the protracted 
contest for the election of representative in 1843-4 that 
created considerable amusement for the younger voters. 
One of the candidates for legislative honors was so con- 
fident of success, he had purchased a suit of clothes 
befitting the position he expected to occupy, and had 
engaged a team to carry him to Augusta. 



The Rebuilding of the Long Bridge 

At a special meeting held October 23, 1843, prelimi- 
nary measures for rebuilding the long bridge near the 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 281 

village mills were adopted. The contract for rebuilding 
was awarded to a company of three citizens of the town, 
John Tewksburv, James Pillsbury and Orison Parkman. 
The timber for the bridge was hauled the following win- 
ter, and it was built in the summer of 1844. Although 
not an elegant structure, the average cost per year for 
repairs has been very light. 



A Remarkable Religious Fanaticism 

About the year 1 840, a Mr. William Miller appeared 
in eastern Maine to apprise its inhabitants of the early 
coming of Jesus. He asserted that the first judgment 
would come in 1843. The enunciation of this theory 
in 1840, produced much excitement which grew in 
intensity as the fateful year of 1843 approached, when it 
reached its culmination. 

The more indigent victims of this belief, reasoned 
that if all things eartlily are to terminate in 1843, all 
we need to do is to provide ourselves with supplies for 
the intervening two years. When, in 1843, the great 
day was believed to be near, this class, having been 
reduced to absolute want, quartered themselves upon 
their more independent friends for subsistence. Thus 
large numbers of men, women and children were brought 
together under a single roof where the most grotesque 
religious performances were indulged in. If, at the 
midnight hour, a mere child expressed a desire to be 
baptized, the whole company promptly appeared at the 
water's side to participate in the ceremony. It was not 
uncommon for a zealous member of the sect to be bap- 
tized several times. On such occasions, manv of them 



282 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

disported themselves in the water in a manner not fully 
in accord with the solemnity which is expected at such 
times. 

Some of the more thoughtful and more confident, 
spent their leisure in making ascension robes to be used 
on the occasion of their "going up." One of its dev- 
otees, a Mr. became a citizen of the town 

early in the thirties, wrested a farm from the forest, and 
provided for himself and family a good home. 

By industry, economy, and good judgment, he had 
taken rank with our most independent and esteemed 
citizens, and had been called to fill the most important 
town offices from time to time. But strange as it may 
seem, he found himself struggling in the current of 
Millerism and his home became the headquarters of its 
devotees where everything from cellar to attic, and in ell, 
shed and barn, was held in common. When the col- 
lapse came it brought with it the consciousness of a 
terrible mistake, a loss of self-respect, and of courage 
and of hope. 

He soon became the victim of inherited consumptive 
tendencies, and passed from earth in a difFerent manner 
from that which he expected a few brief years earlier. 
The disastrous results to the one victim that have been 
narrated were experienced by others. Several who had 
been enjoying a comfortable independence, were reduced 
to poverty by the same process. The tendency of this 
delusion to pauperism led to the adoption of legal 
measures by the municipal authorities, to rid the town 
of irresponsible leaders from other towns. 

The Rev. Leonard Hutchins, pastor of the Free 
Baptist church and society, gave a semi-centennial 
address before that organization in 1875, in which he 
alluded to the disastrous effects of Millerism. After 
speaking of a period of universal prosperity, he says, "It 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 283 

was interrupted b}' a season of severe trial. Many 
members abandoned the church and its ordinances, to 
enter the ranks of a sect which professed to beheve that 
the second coming of Christ was an event to be looked 
for in the near future. Indeed the exact date for this 
great event had been determined in the councils of 
heaven and recorded in the books of prophecy. 

"Some of the devotees of Millerism assumed the posi- 
tion of open enmity to the church and to the religion to 
which they had solemnly pledged fidelity. This con- 
dition of affairs resulted in great distraction to the 
church for several years. By the exercise of wisdom and 
forbearance by the church, the greater portion of those 
who had violated their church obligations, returned to 
it, while the more stubborn persisted in their recreancy 
to their church obligations, and were at length excom- 
municated. ' ' 



Garland in 1844 

At the annual meeting of 1844 the officers chosen 
were Joseph Prescott, moderator; Lorenzo Oak, town 
clerk; Daniel M. Haskell, Joseph Prescott and Luther 
Rideout, selectmen; Lorenzo Oak, treasurer; and John 
P. Smith, collector. The compensation of the treasurer 
was fixed at four mills per dollar, and that of collector 
at two per cent. Rev. S. S. Drake and Lorenzo Oak 
were chosen superintending school committee. 

The appropriations for the year were four hundred and 
fifty dollars for schools, one thousand dollars for town 
charges, one hundred and fifty dollars for the poor, two 
thousand and five hundred dollars for roads to be paid 
in labor, and a cash appropriation for the Avenue road. 



284) HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

Daniel Ladd, Enoch Huntington and Russell Murdock 
were appointed a committee to redistrict the town in 
the interest of the public schools. The treasurer was 
instructed to hire five hundred dollars for use of the 
town at a rate of interest not to exceed five per cent. 



Autumnal Election 

The balloting for State and other officers occurred 
September 9. For governor, Hugh J. Anderson, 
Democrat, received one hundred and twenty votes; 
Edward Robinson, Whig, received fifty-three votes ; 
James Appleton, Liberty party, received fifty-seven 
votes. 

For representative to Congress, Hannibal Hamlin, 
Democrat, received one hundred and twenty-one votes; 
Abraham Sanborn, Whig, received forty-nine votes; Asa 
Walker, Liberty party, received fifty -six votes. 

For State Senator, Samuel W. Knight, Liberty 
party, received fifty-four votes. 

For representative to the Legislature, Chas. Butters, 
Democrat, received one hundred and sixteen votes ; John 
L. Hodsdon, Whig, received fifty-five votes ; Albana 
Pease, Liberty party, received fifty-six votes. 

The Legislature of 1844 submitted to the towns of the 
State the following question: "Shall the Constitution of 
Maine be so amended as to make the political yesLY begin 
on the second Wednesday in May instead of the first 
Wednesday in January.^" Garland's vote (m this ques- 
tion was seventy -three in favor, and four against. 

Upon the proposed amendment to establish town 
courts, the result was thirty-six in favor, and forty- 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 285 

eight against. The voters of the town assembled on 
November 11 to ba]k)t for presidential electors. 
The Democratic candidates received one hundred and 
eleven, the Whig candidates forty-seven, and the Liberty 
party candidates thirty-five votes. 



Garland in 1845 

At the annual meeting of 1845, held March 10, 
Russell Murdock was chosen moderator ; I^orenzo Oak, 
town clerk; Daniel M. Haskell, Luther Rideout and 
Stephen D. Jennings, selectmen and assessors ; Lorenzo 
Oak, treasurer; and John P. Smith, collector. The 
compensation of ti'easurer was fixed at four mills per 
dollar, and that of the collector at two per cent, Moses 
G. Gordon, Jacob W. Haskell and Jonathan C. 
Lawrence were chosen superintending school committee. 

The appropriations were five hundred dollars for 
schools, three hundred dollars for the poor, four hundred 
dollars for town charges, and six thousand five hundred 
and fifty dollars for roads, to be paid in labor. The 
treasurer was instructed to hire five hundred dollars at a 
rate not exceeding five per cent. 



Annual State Election 

Of the annual State election of 1845, held September 
8, the records disclose the following results: For 
governor, Hugh J. Anderson, Democrat, received 
eighty-nine votes; Freeman H. Morse, Whig, thirty-one 



286 HISTORY OF GARLAJND, MAINE 

votes ; Samuel Fessenden, Anti-Slavery, received forty- 
five votes. 

For representative to the Legislatui*e, Stephen D. 
Jennings, Democrat, received fifty-eight votes ; Luther 
Rideout, Democrat, received twenty-nine votes; Daniel 
M. Haskell, Whig, received twenty-six votes; Lyndon 
Oak, Anti-Slavery, received forty-five votes. 

The factional contest of 1843 was renewed and the 
result compared with that at Exeter disclosed a failure 
to elect. A second trial, on September 29, also failed 
to elect. At the third trial, on October 20, Lj^ndon 
Oak was elected. 

By an amendment of the State Constitution, the begin- 
ning of the political year had been changed from the 
first Wednesday in January to the second Wednesday in 
May. The legislative session of 1846 was, therefore, 
held in summer instead of winter. The members elected 
on the anti-slavery issue had increased from one in 1844 
to seven in 1846. 

But this was onl}' a slight indication of the growth of 
the anti-slavery sentiment at that time. The Demo- 
cratic speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. 
Ebenezer Knowlton, entered the Anti-Slavery ranks soon 
after. A large majority of the Whigs of the Legisla- 
ture of 1846 were opposed to any further concessions to 
slavery. 

The Legislature of 1846 was visited by Joshua R. 
Giddings, the robust and fearless opponent of slavery, 
and member of Congress from Ohio. The object of his 
visit was to bring into unit}^ of political effort all the 
opponents of slavery. He had interviews with the lead- 
ing Whigs of the Legislature. As a result a resolution 
was presented in the House by an Anti-Slavery member, 
declaring in substance that the question of the extension 
of slavery was of more importance than any other before 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 287 

the American people. This resolution was supported in 
a vigorous speech by Hon. Elisha H. Allen of Bangor, 
and it received the votes of a majority of the Whig 
members. 



Garland in 1846 

At the annual meeting of 1846, held March 9, 
Stephen D. Jennings was chosen moderator; Lorenzo 
Oak, town clerk; Daniel M. Haskell, Luther Rideout 
and Stephen D. Jennings, selectmen and assessors; 
Lorenzo Oak, treasurer; Luther Rideout, collector; and 
Moses G. Gordon, Stephen D. Jennings and Joseph T. 
Knight, superintending school committee. The com- 
pensation of the treasurer was five mills per dollar, and 
that of the collector two per cent. 

The appropriations were five hundred and fifty dollars 
for schools, four hundred dollars for town charges, three 
hundred dollars for the poor, and two thousand, five 
hundred dollars for roads, to be paid in labor. 



State Election of 1846 

The State election of 1846 was held September 14. 
For governor, John W. Dana, Democrat, received 
seventy-three votes; Samuel Fessenden, Anti-Slavery, 
received sixty-eight votes; David Bronson, Whig, 
received twenty votes. 

For representative to Congress, James S. Wiley, 
Democrat, received seventv-three votes ; Jeremiah Curtis, 



288 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

Anti-Slavery, received sixty-nine votes; Sanford Kings- 
bury, Whig, received twenty votes. 

For representative to the Legislature, John Walker, 
Anti-Slavery, received seventy-one votes; Samuel L. 
Woodman, Democrat, received sixty-eight votes; John 
L. Hodsdon, Whig, received twenty votes. 

No choice of representative to the Legislature. The 
second trial, October 5, was fruitless. The third trial, 
October 26, was fruitless. On the fourth trial, Wm. 
Palmer of Exeter was elected. 

In 1846, Samuel S. Clark, then a recent and valuable 
accession to the citizenship of the town, entered into 
partnership with Lorenzo and Lyndon Oak, for the 
manufacture of boots and shoes, under the firm name of 
S. S. Clark & Co. A special feature of their work was 
the manufacture of lumbermen's boots. The excellent 
quality of their goods soon gave them a reputation that 
created a brisk demand in this and adjoining towns. 
This was followed by a wholesale business with merchants 
in many of the towns of Penobscot and Piscataquis and 
other counties. 



Garland in 1847 

The annual meeting of 1847 was held March 8. 
Joseph Prescott was chosen moderator. The officers for 
the year were, Lorenzo Oak, town clerk; Daniel M. 
Haskell, Luther Rideout and David Pierce, selectmen; 
Lorenzo Oak, treasurer; John Bartlett, collector. The 
compensation of the treasurer was fixed at five mills per 
dollar, and that of the collector at two and one fourth 
per cent. Daniel M. Haskell, Edson L. Oak and 
Lorenzo Oak were chosen superintending school com- 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 289 

mittee. The appropriations were five hundred and fifty 
dollars for schools, three hundred dollars for the support 
of the poor, three hundred dollars for town charges, and 
two thousand, five hundred dollars for roads. 



Town House 

Preparations preliminary to the building of a town 
house were entered upon in 1847. The question of loca- 
tion provided much discussion. Town meetings, religious 
meetings and all important meetings had been held at 
the schoolhouse at the geographical center of the town 
since the year 1816. Long existing associations favored 
this location. It was claimed that fair dealing with the 
inhabitants of the northern and northeastern sections of 
the town, demanded that the building should occupy a 
site at its geographical center. 

The opposing contention was that the building should 
be located at the center of the village, one mile south of 
the geographical center. In inclement weather, citizens 
would be afforded opportunities to shelter their teams 
within the building at the village. Many of the strong- 
est objectors to location in the village, would embrace the 
opportunity affoi'ded by the town meeting to visit the 
stores and shops in the village, even if the building 
should be located one mile away from the geographical 
center. Such considerations led to the selection of the 
village site. 

Aaron Hill, Luther Rideout, Daniel M. Haskell, 
Russell Murdock and Lyndon Oak were appointed a 
committee to select and purchase a site in the village for 



290 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

the proposed building. Joseph Prescott, Luther Ride- 
out and Samuel Skillin were charged with the duty of 
preparing plans for the building and providing for its 
construction by contract, which in due time, was awarded 
to L. & L. Oak & Co. In the summer of the following 
year, 1848, the building was completed to the satisfac- 
tion of the building committee. 



State Election of 1847 

The State election of 1847 occurred September 13. 
For governor, John W. Dana, Democrat, received 
eighty-four votes; Samuel Fessenden, Anti-Slavery, 
received seventy-three votes; David Bronson, Whig, 
received twenty-six votes. 

For representative to Congress, James S. Wiley, 
Democrat, received eighty -one votes ; Jeremiah Curtis, 
Anti-Slavery, received seventy-eight votes ; Sanford 
Kingsbury, Whig, received twenty-seven votes. 

For representative to the Legislature, Moses Ames, 
Anti-Slavery, received eighty-seven votes; Stephen D. 
Jennings, Democrat, received sixty-seven votes; Andrew 
M. Haskell, Whig, received twenty-three votes. 

A second trial for the election of a representative to 
the Legislature occurred on October 4, when the result 
disclosed that Stephen D. Jennings had eighty-four 
votes, Moses Ames had seventy-three and A. M. Haskell 
had eleven. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 291 

Action of the Town on Proposed Amendments 
of the State Constitution 

1st. On the question of electing governoi* by a pki- 
raht}' of votes, yeas sixtj'-four, nays twenty-one. 

2d. On the question of electing senators by a plu- 
rality of votes, yeas forty-nine, nays nineteen. 

3d. On the question of electing representatives by a 
pluralit}' of votes, yeas forty-four, nays eleven. 

4th. On the question of limiting the credit of the 
State to an amount not exceeding three hundred thous- 
and dollars, yeas sixty-five, nays one. 



Garland in 1848 

From 1816 to 1848 the annual March and September 
meetings had been held at the Center schoolhouse. In 
1848, the March meeting was held in the Congregational 
meeting house. Nehemiah Bartlett was chosen moder- 
ator. The officers for the year were Charles Reynolds, 
town clerk ; Nehemiah Bartlett, Aaron Hill and Joseph 
Vickery, selectmen ; Lorenzo Oak, treasurer ; James J. 
Chandler, collector, and Daniel M. Haskell, Edson L. 
Oak and Edward H. Pierce, superintending school com- 
mittee. 

The appropriations were five hundred and fifty dol- 
lars for schools, six hundred dollars for town charges, 
four hundi'ed dollars for the support of the poor, and 
twenty-five hundred dollars for roads, to be paid in labor. 
The treasurer was instructed to hire five hundred dollars 
for the use of the town. 



292 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 



State Election in 1848 

The State election of 1848 was held in the town 
house for the first time. All such elections had been 
held in the Center schoolhouse from 1816 to 1848. 
For governor, John W. Dana, Democrat, received ninety- 
three votes; Samuel Fessenden, Anti-Slavery, received 
seventy-six votes; Elijah Hamlin, Whig, received thirty- 
one votes. 

For representative to Congress, Charles Stetson, Dem- 
ocrat, received ninety votes; Jeremiah Curtis, Anti- 
Slavery, received seventy-eight votes; Israel Washburn, 
Whig, received thirty-one votes. 

For representative to the State Legislature, Simeon 
Butters, Anti-Slavery, received ninety-four votes; Isaiah 
Avery, Democrat, received eighty-five votes; Jei'emiah 
Garvin, Whig, received sixteen votes. 

For presidential electors, (election, November 17,) 
the Democratic candidates received one hundred and 
eight votes; the Anti-Slavery candidates received fifty- 
eight votes; the Whig candidates received forty-one 
votes. 

It will be noticed that the Anti-Slavery vote, which 
had been on the increase for several years, fell off largely 
at the presidential election of 1848. This was due to 
the fact that the Anti-Slaver}^ candidate, Martin Van 
Buren, did not come up to the ideal of many of the 
Anti-Slaverv voters of the time. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 293 

The First Hi^h School in Garland 

The first high school in Garland was opened under 
the instruction of Lyndon Oak, in the autumn of 1848, 
in the new town house which had just been completed. 
There were many bright girls and boys in town who were 
thirsting for instruction that was not afforded by the 
district school. The satisfactory attendance at this first 
term, inspired the hope that the school might be per- 
petuated, but there was no fund for its support. The 
town refused aid, and no help could be expected from 
the State. 

At this juncture a young man of the name of Bryant, 
a brother of the late Mrs. Thomas Dearborn, who was 
on a visit here, offered to take the school, and accept its 
patronage as compensation in full for his services. His 
offer was accepted, and the result proved satisfactory. 

The success of these preliminary efforts inspired the 
belief that with care in the selection of teachers, who 
combined ability to instruct with attractive personal 
(qualities, the patronage of the school would nearly, or 
quite, pay its expenses. If, at any time, a deficit should 
occur, a few citizens of the village were pledged to pay 
it. Under the conditions which have been indicated, 
the school was maintained through a period of fifteen 
years with a draft of only five dollars upon private funds. 
The school was but little known beyond the limits of 
tiie town, but there are many men and women who have 
been, and are now filling useful and responsible stations, 
who are glad to acknowledge the usefulness to them- 
selves of the Garland High School of years ago. It had 
the effect of raising the standard of the district schools 
through the town. The teacher of the autumnal term 
v.as often retained as teacher in the winter term of the 



294 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

district school, to which advanced scholars of other dis- 
tricts had free access. 



A Tornado 

A tornado of terrible force passed through the north- 
erly section of Garland in the midsummer of 1848. 
Originating in the town of Ripley, it passed in an east- 
erly direction, veering slightly to the north, through 
Dexter and the northerly section of Garland into Atkin- 
son. It was narrow of scope, but of irresistible force, 
demolishing buildings, trees, and making a violent dis- 
turbance of everything that lay in its way. Fortunately 
for Garland, no buildings were completely wrecked, but 
several mill logs in front of the Harriman house, in 
school district No. 1, were turned end for end, and one 
had the distinction of being deposited on the roof of 
Mr. Harriman's house. The barn connected with this 
house was turned half way round. A well known citi- 
zen of Garland is authority for the statement that a barn 
door made a mid-air trip from Ripley over the towns 
of Dexter and Garland into Atkinson. 

The following slip from a newspaper describing one of 
the freaks of the tornado of 1848, whether fiction or 
fact, is not more remarkable than many well authenti- 
cated stories connected with it: 

"It is related of Lamont Downing that in 1848, one 
pleasant summer's day, he was trudging along the high- 
way north of the pond near the line between Dexter and 
Ripley, when a hurricane came over the hills from the 
west. The air was oppressive and sulphurous and the 
sky black as ink. The path of the cloud was marked by 
all sorts of things from the Ripley farmhouses, flying 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 295 

overhead. The next thing the lad knew, he was caught 
up also and went sailing away with the rest of the flyers. 
P'ortunatel}^ for him he had not gone far when he came 
into the thick top of a big elm tree which was twisted 
and wrung by the cyclone, and to this he clung with all 
his might. When the storm was past and folks came 
looking around to find who was killed, they discovered 
the boy lodged in the tree and had to get ladders to get 
him down from the perilous place." 

On the day of the tornado the writer, accompanied by 
a friend, was at Silver's Mills in Northeast Dexter, after 
a load of lumber for the Garland town house, then in 
process of construction. The lumljer had been loaded, 
and the team was ready to start, when the sudden 
appearance of a fearful looking cloud, surcharged with 
the wrecks of houses and barns, pig pens and hen coops, 
driven forward on the "wings of the wind" with terri- 
ble velocity, suggested the propriety of a temporary 
halt. The storm having passed, the team was started, 
but it soon came to an enforced halt by trees that had 
been blown across the road. Axemen soon came to our 
relief and removed the obstruction which enabled us to 
get our load of lumber safely to its destination. 



Garland in 1849 

The annual meeting for the transaction of town busi- 
ness was held in the new town hall on March 12. 
Lyndon Oak was chosen moderator. The officers for the 
year were Charles Reynolds, town clerk; Daniel M. 
Haskell, Luther Rideout and Andrew M. Haskell, select- 
men and assessors ; Lorenzo Oak, treasurer ; James J. 



296 HISTORY OF GAELAND, MAINE 

Chandler, collector; Joseph T. Knight, Edward H. 
Pierce and Daniel M. Haskell, superintending school 
committee. The compensation of the treasurer for 
keeping and disbursing money was fixed at five mills per 
dollar, and of the collector, James J. Chandler, two and 
one half per cent. 

The appropriations for the year were six hundred dol- 
lars for schools, two hundred and fifty dollars for town 
charges, four hundred and fifty dollars for the support 
of the poor and two thousand five hundred dollai's for 
roads, to be paid in labor. A special meeting w^as held 
on May 3, at which Aaron Hill, Lj^ndon Oak and 
Stephen D. Jennings were appointed a committee to 
cooperate with committees of Charleston, Dover and 
Corinth in efforts to effect the discontinuance of the 
northeast count}^ road which was laid out in 1846. 

The State election was held September 10, 1849. For 
governor, John Hubbard, Democrat, received one hun- 
dred and eleven votes; Elijah L. Hamlin, Whig, 
received forty-two votes; George F. Talbot, Anti- 
Slaver}^, received fift}' votes. 

John Hubbard was the successful candidate for gov- 
ernor. Hon. Nehemiah Bartlett of Garland was elected 
State senator. For representative to the Legislature, 
Loring D. Hayes, Democrat, received sixty-nine votes ; 
George Curtis, Anti-Slavery, received sixty-seven votes; 
Daniel M. Haskell, Whig, received thirty-eight votes. 

Loring Hayes had a majority of the votes in the class, 
and was elected. At a meeting for town business on the 
day of the State election, (September 10) Lyndon Oak, 
George Curtis and Samuel W. Knight were appointed a 
committee to select a location for a cemetery, the site of 
which should be in convenient proximity to the village. 
As the result of this action, the cemetery now known as 
"Maple Grove Cemetery" was established. 



HISTOEY OF OAKLAND, MAINE 297 



Garland in 1850 

The annual town meeting of 1850 was held March 11. 
Andrew M. Haskell was chosen moderator. The officers 
for the 3 ear were Charles Reynolds, town clerk ; Daniel 
M. Haskell, Sylvester Abbott and Andrew M. Haskell, 
selectmen and assessors; Charles Reynolds, treasurer, 
whose compensation was fixed at two mills per dollar ; 
James J. Chandler, collector, compensation two and one 
half per cent. ; Joseph T. Knight, E. H. Pierce and 
Moses G. Gordon, superintending school committee. 

The appropriations were six hundred dollars for 
schools, three hundred dollars for town charges, three 
hundred and fifty dollars for the poor, twelve hundred 
dollars for roads, to be paid in labor, and a cash appro- 
priation of three hundred dollars for the same purpose. 
The selectmen were authorized to appoint an agent to 
expend the cash appropriation. 



Autumnal Elections of 1850 

The meeting for the election of governor and other 
officers was held September 9. For governor, John 
Hubbard, Democrat, received one hundred and twenty 
votes; William G. Crosby, Whig, received fifty-seven 
votes; George F. Talbot, Anti-Slavery, received nineteen 
votes. 

For representative to Congress, Hastings Strickland 
received nineteen votes; Israel Washburn, Jr., received 
sixty-nine votes; Charles Stetson received one hundred 
and seven votes. 

For representative to the Legislature, Samuel 



298 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

Woodman, Democrat, received one hundred and thirty 
votes; John L. Hodsdon, Whig, received fifty-eight 
votes; Simeon Butters, Anti-Slaverj', received six votes. 



Garland in the Contest for United States Sen- 
ator in 1850 

In 1850, Loring D. Ha3'es, Esq., of Garland, repre- 
sented his class in the House of Representatives. 
Another citizen of Garland, Hon. Nehemiah Bartlett, 
was a member of the Senate. At this session of the 
Legislature there occurred a political contest of the 
gravest character. 

It involved the question \vhether the influence of the 
State of Maine should be used for, or against, the fur- 
ther extension of slavery. The parties to this contest 
were the hunker Democrats, who with pliant knees were 
ready to kneel to the behests of the slave power, on the 
one side, and the Democrats who were unalterably 
opposed to yielding another acre to the withering blast 
of slaveiy, on the other side. The candidate of the 
opponents of slavery was Hannibal Hamlin. 

Mr. Hamlin had made himself obnoxious to the slave 
power b}^ his earnest and uncompromising opposition to 
the further spread of slavery. One of his most grievous 
offences was that he had instigated the passage of a 
resolve by a previous Legislature, instructing Maine's 
delegation in Congress to oppose all measures favoring 
the extension of slavery. 

The balloting, which began on June 20, was followed 
by a long and exciting contest. As it progressed, Anti- 
Slavites, Whigs and Free Soilers, were drawn to the sup- 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE J299 

port of Mr. Hamlin. The balloting which began June 
20, was terminated by a dramatic incident on July 25. 
On the first ballot of that day, Mr. Hamlin lacked one 
vote of an election in the House. Loring D. Hayes, 
member of the House from Garland, was an enthusiastic 
friend of Mr. Handin, but, unfortunately, he was dan- 
gerously sick with typhoid fever at his boarding-house. 
He had sent word to friends, "An}' time my vote will 
elect Hannibal Hamlin to the United States Senate, I 
will come to the House if you have to carry me on my 
dying bed." 

When the result of the first ballot was announced, a 
score or more of men dashed out of the House in an 
instant, and bolted into Hayes' room. Picking him up, 
bed and all, the}' moved as fast as it was safe to the 
House. When they appeared with the sick man on his 
bed, pandemonium reigned for a time among the Anti- 
Slavery Democrats. The next ballot was taken amidst 
breathless excitement, and when it was announced that 
Mr. Hamlin was elected on the part of the House, his 
friends were wild with joy. 

Mr. Hamlin's election in the House was soon followed 
by his election in the Senate. The importance of this 
result will be appreciated when it is remembered that the 
following two national administrations were completely 
dominated by the slave power. The writer is mainly 
indebted to the Life and Times of Hannibal Hamlin for 
the facts contained in this sketch. 



Garland in 1851 

The annual meeting of 1851 was held March 10. 
Lyndon Oak was chosen moderator. The officers for the 



300 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

year were, Lorenzo Oak, town clerk; Luther Rideout, 
Daniel Silver and Andrew M. Haskell, selectmen and 
assessors; Lorenzo Oak, treasurer, compensation for 
receiving and disbursing, five mills per dollar; Samuel 
W. Knight, collector, compensation nineteen mills per 
dollar; superintending school committee, Daniel M. 
Haskell, Edward H. Pierce and Lorenzo Oak. 

The appropriations were six hundred dollars for 
schools, four hundred dollars for town charges, two hun- 
dred dollars to support the poor and two thousand dol- 
lars for highways. 



Garland in 1852 

The annual meeting of 1852 was held on the eighth 
day of March. Stephen D. Jennings was chosen moder- 
ator. The officers for the year were, William F. 
Haskell, town clerk; Andrew M. Haskell, Daniel Silver 
and John K. Haskell, selectmen and assessors ; Lorenzo 
Oak, treasurer, compensation five mills per dollar ; James 
J. Chandler, collector, compensation eighteen mills per 
dollar; Joseph T. Knight, superintending school com- 
mittee. 

The appropriations for 1852 were six hundred dollars 
for schools, three hundred dollars for town charges, two 
hundred and fifty dollars for the poor, two thousand five 
hundred dollars for roads, to be paid in labor, and a cash 
appropriation of one hundred dollars. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 301 

Autumnal Elections of 1852 

The legal voters of Garland assembled September 1 3, 
1852, to ballot for governor and other officers. For 
governor, John Hubbard, Democrat, received one hun- 
dred and ten votes; William G. Crosby, Whig, received 
sixty-one votes; Ezekiel Holmes received eight votes; 
Anson G. Chandler received eighty-five votes. 

AVilliam Crosby was elected governor. 

For representative to Congress, Israel Washburn, 
AVhig, received one hundred and eighteen votes ; Isaiah 
Waterhoiise, Democrat, received sixty votes; Hastings 
Strickland, Democrat, received eighty-one votes. 

Israel Washburn was the successful candidate. 

YoY representative to the Legislature, Luther Rideout 
received one hundred and thirty-nine votes ; Joseph T. 
Knight received one hundred and eleven votes. 

The town balloted for presidential electors on Novem- 
ber 2, 1852, when the Democratic candidate received 
ninety-three votes, the Anti-Slavery candidate, sixty 
votes and the Whig candidate received thirty-eight 
votes. 



Garland in 1853 

The annual town meeting of 1853 was held on March 
14. Stephen D. Jennings was chosen moderator. The 
officers for the year were, Lorenzo Oak, town clerk ; 
Andrew M. Haskell, S. D. Jennings and Eleazer 
Burnham, selectmen and assessors; Lorenzo Oak, town 
treasurer; E. H. Pierce, superintending school commit- 



302 HISTOEY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

tee; Jacob W. Haskell, collector of taxes, compensation 
two per cent. The selectmen were appointed highway 
surveyors and field-drivers. 

The appropriations for 1853 wei-e six hundred dollars 
for schools, three hundred dollars for town charges, three 
hundred dollars for the poor and one thousand nine 
hundred dollars for highways. Lyndon Oak, Luther 
Rideout and Daniel M. Haskell were appointed to ascer- 
tain whether a suitable home for the residence of the 
poor could be procured at reasonable cost. 



Autumnal Elections of 1853 

For governor, William G. Crosby, Whig, received 
fortA'-five votes; Anson P. Morrill, Temperance and 
Anti-Slavery, received fift^'-seven votes ; Ezekiel Holmes, 
received sixty-one votes; Albert Pillsbury, Democrat, 
received ninety-three votes. 

For county commissioner, Daniel M. Haskell received 
one hundred and forty-one votes ; Joseph Chadbourne 
received one hundred and two votes ; Francis W. Hill 
received ten votes. 

For representative to the Legislature, Allen C. 
Tibbetts received one hundred and fifty-one votes; 
Thomas K, Holt received one hundred and four votes. 

Mr. Holt received a majority in the class. 



Garland in 1854 

The annual meeting of 1854 was held March 13. 
Artemas Merriam was chosen moderator. The officers 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 303 

for the year were, William F. Haskell, town clerk ; John 
G. Jones, Joseph F. Knight and John K. Haskell, select- 
men and assessors ; Lorenzo Oak, treasurer ; Jacob W. 
Haskell, collector of taxes. Compensation of treasurer 
for receiving and disbursing was fixed at five mills per 
dollar. Compensation of collector was two per cent. 

The appropriations of 1854 were for schools, seven 
hundred dollars; for town charges, two hundred and 
fifty dollars; for support of the poor, three hundred 
dollars, and two thousand six hundred dollars for high- 
ways. Highway surveyors were authorized to bargain 
Avith real estate owners, who held lands bordering upon 
badh' drifting roads, to reduce the height of their fences 
to lessen the tendenc}' of snow to drift. 

The town voted to remonstrate against the repeal of 
the Missouri Compromise, and the selectmen and town 
clerk were instructed to formulate and forward the remon- 
strance. There was an article in the warrant calling the 
meeting, to see if the town would vote to purchase a 
hearse. The action upon this article was to leave the 
matter to the judgment of the selectmen and clerk. 
This was the first action of the town relating to the 
purchase of a hearse. 



The Autumnal Elections 

For governor, Anson P. Morrill, Temperance and 
Anti-Slaver}^ received one hundred and thirt}' votes; 
Albion K. Parris, Democrat, received one hundred and 
twelve votes; Isaac Reed, Whig, received twenty-eight 
votes. 

Mr. Morrill was elected. 



304 HISTOEY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

For representative to Congress, Israel Washburn, Jr., 
Whig, received one hundred and fifty-seven votes; 
Samuel H. Blake, Democrat, received one hundred and 
thirteen votes. 

For representative to the State Legislature, Lyndon 
Oak, Anti-Slavery, received one hundred and thirty-four 
votes; Thomas K. Holt, Democrat, received one hundred 
and thirty-two votes. 

Mr. Holt received a majority of the votes in the 
class. 



Garland in 1855 

The annual meeting of 1855 was held March 12. 
Artemas Merriam was chosen moderator. The officers 
for the year were, William F. Haskell, town clerk ; A. 
M. Haskell, John Batchelder and William S. Haskell, 
selectmen and assessors; Lorenzo Oak, treasurer; Jacob 
W. Haskell, collector; J. C. Lawrence, superintending 
school committee. The compensation of the treasurer 
was one half of one per cent., and that of the collector 
two and one half per cent. 

The appropriations of 1855 were eight hundred dol- 
lars for schools, five hundred dollars for town charges, 
two hundred dollars for the poor, two thousand dollars 
for roads, to be paid in labor, and a cash appropriation 
of one hundred dollars. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 305 



Autumnal Elections 

The autumnal elections of 1855 were held September 
10. For governor, Anson P. Morrill, Temperance and 
Anti-Slavery, received one hundred and seventy-one 
votes; Samuel Wells, Democrat, received one hundred 
and one votes; Isaac Reed, Whig, received nineteen 
votes. 

For senators, William R. Hersey received one hundred 
and seventy-three votes; Abner R. Hallowell received one 
hundred and seventy-three votes; Lj^ndon Oak, received 
one hundred and seventy-two votes; the Democratic can- 
didate received one hundred and one votes ; the Whig 
candidate received nineteen votes. 

The Democratic candidates were elected. 

For representative to the Legislature, Noah Barker 
received one hundred and seventy-five votes ; F. W. Hill 
received one hundred and seventeen votes. 



Garland in 1856 

The annual meeting of 1856 was held on ' March 10. 
Artemas Merriam was chosen moderator. The officers 
for the year were, Isaac W. Haskell, clerk ; Lorenzo 
Oak, William S. Haskell and Noah W. Johnson, select- 
men and assessors; Franklin Taylor, treasurer; Amasa 
Hatch, Jr., superintending school committee. Leonard 
Skillin, collector of taxes, compensation two and one 
half per cent. 

It was voted to raise the sum required by law for 
schools, one thousand dollars for town charges, three 
hundred dollars to support the poor, two thousand three 



306 HISTOUY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

hundred dollars for roads, to be paid in labor, and cash 
appropriations of one hundred dollars each, to be 
expended on the northerly end of the North road, and a 
like sum for the county road from Holt's Mills to the 
eastern line of the town. 



Clouds in the Political Horizon 

Ominous clouds rising from the southern political 
horizon were viewed with apprehension by the citizens 
of every northern state. The slave power of the South 
had long been engaged in the desperate attempt to break 
down the barriers that protected the northern states from 
the curse of slavery, and now, the national adminis- 
tration was pledged to aid in this attempt. 

At this juncture the political party, known as the 
Republican party of Maine, was originated. 

It drew into its ranks recruits from all political 
parties. 

United States Senator Hannibal Hamlin, who had 
always exerted his transcendent powers of intellect and 
influence in opposition to the inroads of slavery upon 
free soil, was induced to accept the nomination for gov- 
ernor. Entering at once upon the work of the cam- 
paign, he addressed large and enthusiastic crowds at the 
centers of population through the State. 



Autumnal Elections of 1856 

For governor, Hannibal Hamlin, Republican, received 
one hundred and ninety-three votes; Samuel Wells, 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 307 

Democrat, received one hundred and three votes ; George 
F. Patten, Straight Whig, received seven votes. Mr. 
Hamlin was elected. 

For State senators, William R. Hersey, Republican, 
received one hundred and ninety-four votes; Abner R. 
Hersey, Republican, received one hundred and ninety- 
four votes ; Lyndon Oak, Republican, received one hun- 
dred and ninety-four votes; Amos M. Roberts, Demo- 
crat, received one hundred and four votes; Stephen D. 
Jennings, Democrat, received one hundred and four 
votes; O. Pearson, Democrat, received one hundred and 
four votes. 

For representative to Congress, Israel Washburn, Jr., 
Republican, received one hundred and ninety-five votes; 
Abraham Sanborn, Democrat, received one hundred and 
two votes. 

For representative to the Legislature, Artemas 
Merriam, Republican, received one hundred and ninetv- 
three votes; Thomas K. Holt, Democrat, received one 
hundred and eight votes. 

Mr. Merriam received a majority in the representative 
class. 

The Repul)lican candidate for senator was elected. 



Presidential Electors 

Balloting for presidential electors occurred on the 
fourth of November, 1856, with results as follows: The 
Republican candidates received one hundred and eighty- 
seven votes ; the Democratic candidates received eighty- 
seven votes; the Straight Whigs received seven votes. 



308 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 



Garland in 1857 

The annual town meeting of 1857 was held on the 
ninth day of March. Russell Murdock was chosen 
moderator. The officers for the year were, Thaddeus P. 
Irish, town clerk ; Lorenzo Oak, Noah W. Johnson and 
Samuel Skillin, selectmen, assessors and overseers of the 
poor; Franklin Taylor, treasurer; Lyndon Oak, super- 
visor of schools ; James J, Chandler, collector of taxes, 
with commission of two and one half per cent. 



Appropriations of 1857 

For schools, the amount required by law, six hundred 
dollars for town charges, five hundred dollars for the 
poor, two thousand five hundred dollars for roads, a 
cash appropriation of one hundred dollars for the road 
running in a southeasterly direction to the town line 
and of one hundred dollars to be expended on the 
Notch road. 



Autumnal Elections of 1857 ' 

This election was held September 14 with results as 
follows: For governor, Lot M. Morrill, Republican, 
received one hundred and fifty-three votes ; Manasseh H. 
Smith, Democrat, received one hundred and two votes. 

For senators, the Republican candidate received one 
hundred and fifty-three votes ; the Democratic candidate 
received one hundred and four votes. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 309 

Stephen D. Jennings of Garland was a candidate for 
the Senate. 

For representative to the Legislature, the Republican 
candidate received one hundred and forty-nine votes; 
the Democratic candidate received one hundred and 
seven votes. 



Garland in 1858 

The annual meeting of 1858 was held on the 8th 
day of March. Artemas Merriam was chosen moderator. 
The officers for the year were Thaddeus P. Irish, town 
clerk; Lorenzo Oak, Samuel Skillin and T. J. Shaw, 
selectmen, assessors and overseers of the poor; Lyndon 
Oak, supervisor of schools ; James J. Chandler, collector 
of taxes, and two and one half per cent, was voted him 
for the service, he agreeing to allow a rebate of twelve 
and one half per cent, for the amount uncollected at the 
end of a year from the date of his bills. 



Appropriations of 1858 

For schools, the amount required by law, four hun- 
dred and fifty dollars for town charges, four hundred 
dollars for the support of the poor, two hundred dollars 
for roads, to be paid in labor, a cash appropriation of 
four hundred dollars to be expended on the north end of 
the Notch road, also a cash appropriation not to exceed 
two hundred and seventy-five dollars for the completion 
of the county road leading from Holt's Mills to the 



310 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

west line of Charleston by contract, the terms of which 
shaU insure the construction of the road in a thorough 
manner. 



Autumnal Elections of 1858 

For governor, Lot M. Morrill, Republican, received 
one hundred and seventy votes ; Manasseh Smith, Demo- 
crat, received one hundred and twenty-six votes. 

For representative to Congress, Israel Washburn, Jr., 
Republican, received one hundred and seventy-two votes; 
James S. Wiley, Democrat, received one hundred and 
twenty-three votes. 

For representative to the Legislature, Noah W. 
Johnson, Republican, received one hundred and seventy- 
four votes ; Samuel Skillin, Democrat, received one hun- 
dred and twenty-three votes. 

Mr. Johnson was elected. 



Garland in 1859 

The annual town meeting of 1859 was held March 
14. Artemas Merriam was chosen moderator. The 
officers for the year were Lorenzo Oak, T. J. Shaw and 
Luther Rideout, selectmen, assessors and overseers of 
the poor; Franklin Taylor, treasurer; Lyndon Oak, 
supervisor of schools; Edwin Hill, collector, compensa- 
tion two and one half per cent. 

The appropriations were eight hundred dollars for the 
support of schools, four hundred and fifty dollars for 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 311 

town charges, five hundred dollars to support the poor 
and two thousand five hundred dollars for highways. 
The treasurer of the town was authorized to hire a sum 
not exceeding one thousand two hundred and fifty dol- 
lars at a rate of interest not exceeding six per cent., to 
be applied to the making of the Notch road. 



Autumnal Elections of 1859 

The autumnal elections of 1859 were held on Septem- 
ber 12. For governor, Lot M. Morrill, Republican, 
received one hundred and sixty-six votes; Manasseh 
Smith, Democrat, received one hundred and five votes. 

For representative to the Legislature, Winthrop 
Chapman, Republican, received one hundred and fifty- 
six votes; Washington L. P. Walker, Democrat, 
received one hundred and eight votes. 

Mr. Chapman was elected. 



Garland in 1860 

The annual meeting of 1860 was held on the 12th 
day of March. Artemas Merriam was chosen moder- 
ator. The officers for the year were Henry C. Preble, 
town clerk; Lorenzo Oak, Russell Murdock and Stephen 
D. Jennings, selectmen, assessors and overseers of the 
poor; Franklin Taylor, treasurer, compensation four per 
cent. ; Lyndon Oak, supervisor of schools; James J. 
Chandler, collector of taxes for a compensation of two 
per cent. 



312 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

The appropriations were eight hundred dollars for 
schools, four hundred dollars to defray town charges, 
five hundred dollars to support the poor, one thousand 
dollars to pay town debts and two thousand dollars for 
highways, to be paid in labor. 



Autumnal Election 

This election was held September 10, 1860. For gov- 
ernor, Israel Washburn, Jr., Republican, received two 
hundred and thirteen votes; Ephraim K. Smart, Demo- 
crat, received one hundred and fifteen votes. 

For representative to Congress, John H. Rice, Repub- 
lican, received two hundred and fifteen votes ; Samuel H. 
Blake, Democrat, received one hundred and sixteen 
votes. 

For register of probate, Joseph Bartlett, Republi- 
can, a native of Garland, received two hundred and 
thirteen votes; Henry Casey, Democrat, received one 
hundred and sixteen votes. 

For representative to the Legislature, Luther Rideout, 
Republican, received two hundred and two votes; John 
G. Jones, Democrat, received one hundred and twenty- 
two votes. 

Mr. Rideout received a majority of votes in the class. 



Ballot for Presidential Electors in 1860 

The voters of Garland assembled on November 6 to 
ballot for presidential electors, when the Republican 
candidate received one hundred and ninety-three votes; 



HISTOEY OF GARLAND, MAINE 313 

the Democratic candidate received fifty-three votes ; the 
Straight Whig candidate received twenty-eight votes. 

On the same day for representative to Congress, 
Stephen Coburn, Republican, received one hundred and 
ninety-three votes; Joseph Chase, Democrat, received 
forty-nine votes; scattering, twenty-eight votes. 



Garland in 1861 

The annual meeting for town business was held March 
11. Artemas Merriam was chosen moderator. The 
officers for the year were Henry C. Preble, town clerk ; 
Russell Murdock, Samuel Skillin and George W. Otis, 
selectmen, assessors and overseers of the poor; Franklin 
Taylor, treasurer; Henry C. Preble, supervisor of 
schools; James J. Chandler, collector, who agreed to col- 
lect the taxes for two and one half per cent. , and to pay 
twelve per cent, interest upon the sum of uncollected 
taxes at the end of the year. E. L. Oak was chosen 
town agent. 

The appropriations for the year were nine hundred 
dollars for schools, four hundred dollars for town 
charges, five hundred dollars for the poor, seven hundred 
dollars to pay debts and two thousand five hundred dol- 
lars for roads. The town voted to authorize the select- 
men to grant the use of the town house for concerts, 
lectures and kindred purposes upon such conditions as 
they judge proper. At a special meeting of the town, 
held on April 6, it was voted to appropriate five hun- 
dred dollars to make and repair highways. 



314 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

Autumnal Election of 1861 

This election was held on September 9. For gov- 
ernor, Israel Washburn, Republican, received two hun- 
dred and two votes ; John W. Dana, Democrat, received 
eighty-seven votes; scattering, twelve votes. 

For county commissioner, John S. Patten, Repub- 
lican, received two hundred and two votes; Thomas K. 
Holt, Democrat, received eighty-five votes. 

For representative to the Legislature, E. H. Small, 
Republican, received two hundred and one votes ; Francis 
Hill, Democrat, received eighty -eight votes; John W. 
Osgood, received eleven votes. 



Garland in 1862 

The annual meeting for town business in 1862 was 
held on March 10. Artemas Merriam was chosen mod- 
erator. The officers for the year were H. C. Preble, 
clerk; Russell Murdock, Samuel SkiUin and James J. 
Chandler, selectmen, assessors and overseers of the poor; 
Franklin Taylor, treasurer; H. C. Preble, supervisor of 
schools ; E. L. Oak, town agent ; Edwin Hill, collector, 
who was allowed two and one half per cent, for collect- 
ing the taxes, and was held to pay twelve and one half 
per cent, interest upon the sum uncollected at the end of 
the year until such sum was paid into the treasury. 

The regular appropriations for 1862 were nine hun- 
dred dollars for schools, six hundred and fifty dollars for 
town charges, six hundred dollars for the poor, eight 
hundred dollars to pay debts and two thousand five hun- 
dred dollars for roads, to be paid in labor. The town 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 315 

voted to purchase a home for the poor, and instructed 
the selectmen to look for such home, and report at the 
September meeting. 



Autumnal Election of 1862 

For governor, Abner Coburn, Republican, received 
one hundred and sixty-seven votes; Bion Bradbury, 
Democrat, received ninety-four votes. 

For representative to Congress, John H. Rice, Repub- 
lican, received one hundred and sixty-five votes ; Gorham 
L. Boynton, Democrat, received ninety-four votes. 

For representative to State Legislature, Daniel M. 
Haskell, Republican, received one hundred and sixty- 
three votes; Stephen D. Jennings, received ninety-three 
votes. 

Mr. Haskell was elected. 



Garland in 1863 

The annual meeting for town business in 1863 was 
held March 9. Artemas Merriam was chosen moderator. 
The officers for the year were, A. M. Haskell, Elisha 
Skinner and Edwin Hill, selectmen, assessors and over- 
seers of the poor; Franklin Taylor, treasurer; Henry 
C. Preble, David Evans and Edson L. Oak, superin- 
tending school committee; Lorenzo Oak, town agent; 
John S. Oliver, collector, who was to collect the taxes 
for one per cent., and to pay twelve per cent, upon the 
sum of uncollected taxes at the close of the year. 



316 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

The appropriations for 1863 were nine hundred dol- 
lars for schools, five hundred dollars for town charges, 
six hundred dollars for the poor, one thousand two hun- 
dred dollars to pay debts and two thousand dollars for 
roads, to be paid in labor. 



Autumnal Election of 1863 

For governor, Samuel Cony, Republican, received two 
hundred and seventeen votes; B. Bradbury, Democrat, 
received one hundred and twenty-six votes. 

For representative to the Legislature, Francis W. 
Hill, Democrat, received one hundred and twenty-seven 
votes; John W. Osgood, Republican, received two hun- 
dred and sixteen votes. 



Garland in 1864 

The annual meeting for town business occurred on the 
14th of March. Luther Rideout was moderator. 
The officers for the year were George S. Clark, town 
clerk; A. M. Haskell, Elisha Skinner and Thomas 
Dearborn, selectmen, assessors and overseers of the poor; 
Franklin Taylor, treasurer; Lyndon Oak, David Evans 
and Calvin P. Berry, superintending school committee; 
John S. Oliver, collector of taxes, whose compensation 
was one and one half per cent. 

The appropriations of 1864 were nine hundred dollars 
for schools, five hundred dollars for town charges, six 
hundred dollars for the poor, one thousand dollars to 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 317 

pay debts, two thousand dollars for roads, to be paid in 
labor. 



Autumnal Election of 18G4 

For governor, Samuel Cony, Republican, received two 
hundred and nine votes ; Joseph Howard, Democrat, 
received one hundred and eleven votes. . 

For representative to Congress, John H. Rice received 
two hundred and eight votes; James C. Madigan 
received one hundred and eleven votes. 

For representative to the Legislature, Lyndon Oak 
received two hundred and eight votes; Albert Grinnell 
received one hundred and eleven votes. 

The legal voters of Garland assembled on the 8th 
of November to ballot for electors for President and Vice 
President, when the Republican candidates received two 
hundred and eleven votes ; the Democratic candidates 
received one hundred and seventeen votes. 



Garland in 1865 

The annual meeting for town business in 1865 was 
held on the 13th of March. Luther Rideout was 
chosen moderator. The officers for the year were George 
S. Clark, town clerk; A. M, Haskell, Lorenzo Oak and 
Thomas Dearborn, Jr., selectmen, assessors and over- 
seers of the poor; Franklin Taylor, treasurer; Lyndon 
Oak, David Evans and Calvin P. Berry, superintending 
school committee; John S. Oliver, collector, compensa- 
tion one and one half per cent. 



318 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

The appropriations for the year were one thousand 
one hundred and twenty-five dollars for schools, one 
thousand six hundred dollars for town charges, eight 
hundred dollars for the poor, two thousand dollars to 
pay debts and three thousand dollars for roads, to be 
paid in labor. 



Autumnal Election of 1865 

This election occurred on September 11. For gov- 
ernor, Samuel Cony, Republican, received one hundred 
and seventy-four votes; Joseph Howard, Democrat, 
received eighty-three votes. 

For representative to the Legislature, E. Augustus 
Chandler, Republican, I'eceived one hundred and seventy- 
four votes; Harmon Eastman, Democrat, received 
eighty-three votes. 



Garland in 1866 

The annual meeting for town business M^as held on 
March 12. Luther Rideout was chosen moderator. 
The officers for the year were George S. Clark, town 
clerk; A. M. Haskell, Joseph M. Gerry and Jacob W. 
Haskell, selectmen, assessors and overseers of the poor ; 
Franklin Taylor, treasurer; A. W. Reed, superintending 
school committee ; William E. Skillin, collector of taxes, 
compensation one per cent. 

The appropriations for 1866 were one thousand one 
hundred and twenty-five dollars for schools, two thousand 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 319 

dollars for town charges, five hundred dollars for the 
poor, two thousand five hundred dollars to pay debts and 
two thousand five hundred dollars for roads, to be paid 
in labor. It was voted to allow twenty-five per cent, 
discount to all taxpayers who paid their taxes on, or 
before, the 10th day of June. 



Autumnal Election of 1866 

This election was held on the 10th day of September. 
For governor, Joshua L. Chamberlain, Republican, 
received two hundred and eight votes ; Eben F. Pillsbury, 
Democrat, received one hundred and one votes. 

For representative to Congress, John A. Peters, 
Republican, received two hundred and six votes; G. M. 
Weston, Democrat, received one hundred and one votes. 

For representative to the Legislature, Lyndon Oak, 
Republican, received two hundred and six votes; Joel 
W. Otis, Democrat, received one hundred and one votes. 



Garland in 1867 

The annual meeting for town business in 1867, was 
held on the 11th day of March. Luther Rideout 
was chosen moderator. The officers for the j'ear were 
George S. Clark, town clerk ; A. M. Haskell, Jacob W. 
Haskell and Joseph M. Gerry, selectmen, assessors and 
overseers of the poor; Lyndon Oak and Henry C. 
Preble, superintending school committee; Franklin 
Taylor, treasurer; A. F. Parkman, collector of taxes, 



320 HISTOEY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

compensation fifteen mills per dollar. The selectmen 
were elected surveyors of highways. 

The appropriations for the year were one thousand 
one hundred and twenty-five dollars for schools, two 
thousand dollars for town charges, seven hundred dollars 
for the poor, three thousand dollars to pay debts, three 
thousand dollars for roads. 



Autumnal Election of 1867 

This election was held on the 9th of September. 
For governor, Joshua L. Chamberlain, Republican, 
received one hundred and eighty-one votes; Eben F. 
Pillsbury, Democrat, received one hundred and two 
votes. 

For senator, Isaiah Stetson, Republican, received one 
hundred and eighty-one votes; John Gardner, Demo- 
crat, received one hundred and one votes. 

For representative, Amasa Stetson, Republican, 
received one hundred and eighty-one votes; Eben E. 
Brown received one hundred and two votes. 



Garland in 1868 

The annual meeting of 1868 for town business was 
held in March. Artemas Merriam was moderator. The 
officers for the year were George S. Clark, clerk ; A. M. 
Haskell, Jacob W. Haskell and George W. Otis, select- 
men, assessors and overseers of the poor ; David Evans, 
superintending school committee; Franklin Taylor, 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 321 

treasurer, compensation five mills per dollar; Lorenzo 
Oak, collector of taxes, compensation one per cent. 

The appropriations for 1868 were one thousand five 
hundred dollars for schools, one thousand seven hundred 
dollars for town charges, seven hundred dollars for the 
poor, one thousand dollars for debts, two thousand five 
hundred dollars for roads, to be paid in labor at fifteen 
cents per hour. Cash appropriations for roads were five 
hundred dollars to be expended on county road between 
Garland Village and Holt's Mills, one hundred and fifty- 
dollars to be expended on the road leading from N. J. 
Johnson's mill to Dover line, two hundred dollars to be 
expended on road leading from I. B. Roj^al's to Dexter 
line, seventy-five dollars to be expended on bridge over 
the stream near Lewis Crowell's mill, one hundred dol- 
lars to grade the Preble hill, fifty dollars to build a road 
to Gray's mill. 

The selectmen were authorized to purchase a hearse. 



Autumnal Election of 1868 

This election was held on the 14th of September. 
For governor, Joshua L. Chamberlain, Republican, 
received two hundred and ten votes ; Eben F. Pillsbury, 
Democrat, received one hundred and thirty-one votes. 

For representative to Congress, John A. Peters, 
Republican, received two hundred and nine votes; G. 
W. Ladd, Democrat, received one hundred and thirty- 
two votes. 

For representative to the Legislature, Lyndon Oak, 
Republican, received two hundred and nine votes; 
Stephen D. Jennings, Democrat, received one hundred 
and thirty-two votes. 



322 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

The legal voters of Garland assembled on the 3d 
of November to ballot for electors of President and Vice 
President, when the Republican candidates received two 
hundred and one votes; the Democratic candidates 
received one hundred and eleven votes. 



Garland in 1869 

The meeting for town business in 1869 was held on 
the 8th day of March. Luther Rideout was chosen 
moderator. The officers for the year were George S. 
Clark, town clerk; A. M. Haskell, Jacob W. Haskell 
and George W. Otis, selectmen, assessors and overseers 
of the poor ; Franklin Taylor, treasurer, compensation 
five mills per dollar; Lorenzo Oak, collector, compen- 
sation one and one half cents per dollar. 

The appropi'iations of 1869 were one thousand five 
hundred dollars for schools, one thousand two hundred 
dollars for town charges, eight hundred dollars for the 
poor, one thousand dollars for debts, one hundred and 
fifty dollars for the road near Johnson's Mills, three 
thousand dollars for roads, to be paid in labor, for which 
men are to be allowed fifteen cents per hour. 

At a special meeting held September 6, 1869, the 
town voted to exempt the mill property of H. L. 
Gordon & Co. from taxation for an indefinite time. 



Autumnal Election 

This election was held on the 13th day of September, 
1869. For governor, Joshua L. Chamberlain, Repub- 



HISTOEY OF GARLAND, MAINE 323 

lican, received one hundred and fifty votes; Franklin 
Smith, Democrat, received one hmidred and three votes; 
scattering, ten votes. 

For representative to the Legislature, John Whitney, 
Republican, received one hundred and sixty votes; 
Francis W. Hill, Democrat, received one hundred and 
three votes. 



Special Meeting 

A special meeting was held on November 24th to 
take another pull on the town farm question, when it 
was voted to purchase such farm and properly equip it 
for a comfortable home for an unfortunate class of our 
citizens. Money not to exceed three thousand five hun- 
dred dollars was voted to purchase such farm and prop- 
erly furnish it. Elijah Crane was appointed agent to 
make the selection and purchase of a farm with suitable 
buildings for the purpose intended. 



Garland in the Temperance Reform 

At the opening of the nineteenth century, the use of 
intoxicating liquors had become almost universal in the 
United States. Its citizens were at a remove of only a 
few years from the Revolutionary War. The terrible 
hardships of this war had been a fruitful source of 
intemperance. Its results had humbled the pride of our 
English cousins, who solaced themselves by characterizing 
the people of the United States as a "nation of drunk- 



324 HISTORY OF GAULAND, MAINE 

ards. ' ' The use of spirituous liquors invaded every 
department of life. They were used at the ordination 
of ministers, at the dedication of churches, at funerals 
and weddings. New England rum was the stimulating 
agency where the combined strength of numbers was 
required, such as the raising the frames of buildings, 
and to promote steadiness of nerve to those who scaled 
dizzy heights. 

Such were the sentiments and usages at the date of 
the settlement of Garland. The early settlers were gen- 
erally men of good character, having been religiously 
educated in the homes of their childhood, but abstinence 
from the use of intoxicating drinks had found no place 
in the creeds of the times. In the toilsome efforts to 
compel the resistant forces of a new country to give 
place to the homes of civilization, the stimulus of New 
England rum was believed to be essential to success. It 
was used to inspire courage, to promote strength of 
muscle, and to ward off the cold of winter and the heat 
of summer. In every day occupations it was used mod- 
erately as a rule. Its excessive use was reserved for pub- 
lic occasions, such as military inspections, musters and 
celebrations of public events. Corn huskings, where 
neighbors met to assist each other in divesting the ear of 
its coverings, were esteemed as pleasant social events of 
the long, autumnal evenings. The failure to provide a 
generous supply of the favorite New England beverage 
for such occasions was attributed to stinginess. 

On one such occasion, the person who had been 
favored by the assistance of his neighbors, awoke the 
next morning to find that a favorite two-year-old 
heifer was missing. After a long and fruitless search in 
pasture, field and forest, the missing animal was found 
tied to a brace on the summit of a hay mow. Then, 
as now, the appetite for liquor in the case of individuals 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 325 

was, at times, very strong. At the end of the spring's 
work, on one occasion, two men living just across the 
line in Dexter, started to go to Bangor for the purchase 
of supplies, prominent among which was rum, the sup- 
ply of this article having been exhausted several days 
earlier. Their thirst having become imperative, they 
called at the house of Isaac Copeland, where Mark 
Jennings now resides, and asked for a drink of rum. 
Mr. Copeland informed them that he was out of that 
article, when one of them exclaimed — "For Heaven's 
sake bring out your rum jug and let us smell it!" 

At militar}' inspections and drills which occurred early 
in the month of May of each year, the pail of rum 
sweetened with molasses was passed from head to foot of 
the company standing in line, at the opening and close 
of the drill. This was a marked feature of the old- 
time May training. Rum was kept in all grocery stores 
for the double purpose of stimulating purchases and in- 
creasing trade. The increase of intemperance had now 
become a cause of alarm to thoughtful people. 

In the year 1826, the Rev, Dr. Lyman Beecher of 
Litchfield, Conn., the father of Henry Ward Beecher 
and Harriet Beecher Stowe, preached a series of start- 
ling sermons upon the increase of intemperance in the 
United States, which were given to the public a little 
later by the American Tract Society. The pungency 
and force of these sermons are indicated by the follow- 
ing extract : ' 'Intemperance is the sin of our land, and 
with our boundless prosperity is coming upon us like a 
flood, and if anything shall defeat the hopes of the 
world which hang upon our experiment of civil liberty, 
it is that river of fire which is rolling through the land, 
destroying the vital air, and extending around us an 
atmosphere of death." 

Doctor Beecher' s utterances on the inroads of intern- 



326 RITTORT or GARLAND, MAINE 

perance produced a profound impression upon the New 
England mind. The ministry was especially stirred. 
Temperance societies sprang into existence as if by 
magic in many a New England town. Bangor's most 
eminent citizens led in the organization of a county 
temperance society. The towns in the immediate vicin- 
ity of Garland were moved to action by the stirring 
appeals of Cyril Pearl, then a student of Bangor Theo- 
logical Seminary. 

The first action in Garland, looking to associated 
effort in the cause of temperance, occurred in 1829. 
Isaac Wheeler, Esq., one of Garland's leading citizens, 
was at work in his field with his hired man, Joseph True, 
both being ardent friends of temperance. The con- 
versation between them turned upon the importance of 
organized effort in behalf of temperance, when one of 
them proposed that they should step across the road to 
the residence of the Rev. Isaac Wilkins, the Congre- 
gational minister, and request him to write a paper 
pledging them to abstain from the use of alcoholic 
drinks. The pledge was signed by Isaac Wheeler and 
Joseph True. This led to the organization of Garland's 
first temperance society. To Isaac Wheeler and Joseph 
True belongs the honor of being the pioneers in the 
associated temperance movement in Garland. A society 
was organized shortly after which bore the names of 
Isaac Wilkins and wife, Isaac Wheeler and wife, Joseph 
True, Ansel Field and wife. Deacon Stephen Smith and 
wife, and George Curtis. 

Deacon Smith was chosen president and George Curtis, 
secretary. The organization was effected at the house 
now occupied by the Clark family. Its members pledged 
themselves to abstain from the use of intoxicating drinks 
as a beverage and from furnishing them to others. This 



HISTORY or GARLAND, MAINE 327 

movement was at first treated with ridicule by the 
citizens of the town generally. 

When a job requiring the voluntary assistance of num- 
bers to perform, was undertaken, the failure to furnish a 
bountiful supply of New England rum was considered an 
unpardonable infraction of a time-honored practice. 
The raising of houses and barn frames were illustrative 
cases. In 1829, Elder John Page asked the assistance 
of neighbors to raise a barn frame. Several persons who 
appeared in response to the request, finding that the 
anticipated stimulus was invisible, refused to assist and 
disappeared, whereupon. Elder Josiah Bartlett offered 
an earnest prayer for an increase of strength to the men 
who remained. The frame was raised without accident. 

Soon afterward, James J. Chandler raised a barn frame 
without supplying liquor against the earnest protest of 
his master workman. In the same year George Curtis 
raised a barn frame without the aid of liquor. In this 
case two men demanded payment for assistance rendered. 
The men who thus early engaged in the crusade against 
the use of rum were not turned from their purpose by 
ridicule or threats. 

The temperance sentiment had reached a point in 1840 
when the presence of rum at a house or barn raising was 
not expected. Some amusing incidents of the effects of 
rum at barn raisings are related. At the raising of the 
barn on the place now occupied by James Rideout several 
men came from the easterly part of the town who saved 
considerable travel by crossing a brook on a tree that 
had been felled across it. 

In walking to the site of the prospective barn, they 
reached the opposite side dry. On their return over the 
same brook, on the same tree, they were wet when they 
got to the side nearest their homes. 



328 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

The Washingtonian Movement 

In 1841, the Washingtonian temperance movement 
inaugurated at Baltimore three years earlier, which had 
drawn to its ranks many citizens who had not previously 
attached themselves to the earlier temperance associa- 
tions, attracted the favorable attention of a number of 
the citizens of Garland. A Washingtonian society was 
organized. Captain Bildad A. Haskell was chosen 
president and Stephen B. Dockham, secretary. For 
several years its members worked with zeal and success 
in advancing the cause of temperance. 

In the same year the earlier friends of temperance 
organized anew, adopting the name of "The Garland 
Union Temperance Society." The new pledge forbade 
the use of wine, which was a step in advance. The 
friends of temperance had been aggressive from the 
beginning. They had shown that the raising of build- 
ings and similar undertakings could be accomplished 
without the use of intoxicants. They had driven the 
traffic from the stores. The next point of attack was 
the hotels. 

A respectable citizen of Garland, believed that, as he 
expressed it, "the more radical opponents of the temper- 
ance movement could be induced to cease their strong 
opposition to it by a judicious sale of intoxicating 
drinks." His explanation of such sale was to refuse it 
to the immoderate drinker, and to furnish to the moder- 
ate drinker under such limitations as would guard him 
against its excessive use. This theory failed to satisfy 
the friends of temperance. 

Some of the leading temperance men endeavored, in a 
friendly way, to induce him to relinquish his purpose, 
but without avail. A remonstrance against the sale of 
intoxicating liquors, signed by all the town officers, and 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 329 

leading citizens of the town, was placed in his hands. 
A similar remonstrance of a large number of women was 
placed in the hands of his wife. As a result of these 
movements the sale of intoxicating liquors was promptly 
abandoned. 

The year 1 848 marks the date when the open sale of 
intoxicating liquors as a beverage became a thing of the 
past in the history of Garland. A healthy public senti- 
ment upon this vital subject has been maintained by 
temperance organizations, under different names, from 
1848 to the present time. 



An Event Worthy of Record 

In the year 1876, several members of a Reform Club 
of a neighboring town, visited Garland for the purpose 
of organizing a Reform Club. Their motives were excel- 
lent and their zeal was of the fervid type, but to their 
surprise they found no material upon which to base such 
an organization. 



Garland's Action on a Proposed Amendment 
of the State Constitution 

In 1884, an amendment of the State Constitution, 
forever prohibiting the manufacture, sale, and keeping 
for sale of intoxicating liquor for drinking purposes, 
was submitted to a vote of the people of the State. 
The voters of Garland gave 176 votes for the amendment 
and 51 votes against it. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

Before Roads Were Made in the Township 

Before roads were made a settler would spot a line 
through the woods to his nearest neighbor. If a rude 
bridge were to be built across a stream, or a miry place 
made passable, the combined efforts of the two would 
accomplish the work. This neighbor in turn would 
mark the way to the next neighbor in the same manner. 
Thus lines of travel were opened through the township. 

In marking these ways hills and swamps were avoided 
when practicable. They were often rough and circuit- 
ous, and the more they were traveled the worse they 
became. Excluded from the influence of the sun by the 
heavy forest growth, they were scarcely dry from spring 
to autumn. Horses were much used for carrying bur- 
dens, and it is said that they learned to find solid foot- 
ing by traveling in footsteps already made. 



Early Lines of Approach to the Township 

The earliest line of approach to the township, now 
Garland, was by the way of Bangor through the present 
towns of Glenburn, Kenduskeag, Corinth, and a corner 
of Charleston. After leaving Charleston it extended in 
a northwesterl}' direction to a spring of excellent water 
near the former residence of S. O. Davis, thence to the 
site of Garland village. It was by this route that those 
eighteen stalwart men, who made beginnings of homes 
in 1802, reached the township. It was by this route 
that the heroic family of Joseph Garland, which after- 
wards gave name to the town, found their way to their 
little cabin by the brookside in the northwest part of 
the township. 



HISTOEY OF GARLAND, MAINE 331 

The second line of approach, diverging from the above 
line at Kenduskeag, passed through West Corinth and a 
corner of Exeter to Garland. The old county road from 
western Piscataquis to Bangor, afterwards made, was 
nearly coincident with this second line of approach. 

This was the line of travel for Moses Hodsdon and his 
men from Kenduskeag to Garland when building the 
sawmill in the latter township in 1802. The third line 
of approach was from a point on the Kennebec River 
through the towns of Harmony, Ripley and Dexter to 
Garland. The Gordon and Chandler families passed 
along this line to reach Garland in 1805. 



Early Roads 

Many of the most serious hardships of pioneer life 
result from the absence of roads. This is especially true 
of communities surrounded by other communities in like 
destitute condition. The first settlers of Garland were 
obliged to travel many a weary mile to find a road over 
which a vehicle, other than a clumsy oxsled or wagon, 
could be used. 

During the unorganized condition of the township, 
but little was done in the way of road-making. A few 
public-spirited residents, conspicuous among whom was 
Edward Fifield of West Garland, did what they could 
to induce other residents to contribute voluntary labor 
to the making of roads, but their success was not encour- 
aging. A large majority of the residents preferred to 
await the application of a compulsory process. 



332 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

History of the Principal Existing Roads 

The first road established by the town was the road 
from Dexter through the center of Garland to Charles- 
ton. It is six miles in length and was established April 
22, 1811. Living upon or near the route of this road 
in 1811, were Joshua Silver, Jeremiah Flanders, Thomas 
S. Tyler, Amos Gordon, Simeon Morgan, Joseph Gar- 
land, Jacob Garland, John Tyler, Oliver Woodward, 
Joseph Tread well, Josiah Bartlett and John M. Chase. 



Second Road 

The route of the second road established on the same 
date was one mile north of the center road and parallel 
to it. Beginning at the west line of the town, it ran 
easterly between the eighth and ninth ranges of lots, on 
the summit of the range of hills in the northerly part of 
the town, to a point near the base of High Cut. There 
were living on or near this route in 1811 the families 
of Thomas Gilpatrick, William Dustin, Philip Greeley, 
Justus Harriman, John Chandler, Samuel Mansfield, 
Rev. John Sawyer, William Blaisdell and Joseph 
Saunders. 

The route of this road was established in accordance 
with the policy of the original proprietors, who had 
checked the township into lots of a mile square by range- 
ways for roads. Some sections of this route, in the 
easterly part of the town, were found impracticable for 
public travel and were never used for this purpose. The 
families in the easterly part of the town, living on or 
near the abandoned section of this route, are supplied 
with roads I'unning north from the east and west center 
road to the line of the abandoned route. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 333 

Road to Dexter 

The third road established in 1811, is the road run- 
ning from the center of Garland village to the west line 
of the town towards Dexter village. The femilies living 
on the line of this road in 1811 were those of ^Villiam 
Godwin, James Holbrook, Enoch Clough, Moses 
Gordon, John S. Haskell and Isaac Copeland. Two 
short pieces of road were established in the southwest 
part of the town in 1811. Living upon the lines of 
these roads were the families of Edward Fifield, John 
Hayes and Cutteon Flanders. 

The fifth road established on the 22d day of April, 
1811, is the road with slight variations, beginning where 
D. F. Patten now lives at the top of the hill about two 
miles directly north from the center of the present vil- 
lage and extending southerly through the village to a 
point about one half mile south. Some years later this 
road was extended to Exeter line. An angle in it, a 
half mile below the village, gave the road a southeas- 
terly direction. It crossed the south line of the town 
about one and one half miles west of its southeast 
corner. 

The families living on or near this road in 1811, were 
those of the Rev. John Sawyer, Abner Bond, John 
Jackman, Ezekiel Straw, Isaac Wheeler, William 
Church, John Grant and John Knight. About 1816, 
the section of this road extending from the center of 
Garland village to its south line, became a section of the 
county road from western Piscataquis to Bangor which 
has been known as the old county road to Bangor. 

The sixth road established in 1811 was described as 
extending from Thomas S. Tyler's to Enoch Jackman' s. 
Enoch Jackman then lived in the house afterward occu- 
pied by Henry Calef and Asa Cram, located on the 



334 HISTORY OF OAKLAND, MAINE 

opposite side of the road from the present residence of 
Edwin Greeley, and a little to the south of it. 

The seventh and last road, established in 1811, 
extended easterly from a point a little south of the vil- 
lage mills, to the site of the Burnham Cemetery, thence 
northerly to the point of intersection with the east and 
west center road. There were but two families living 
upon this road in 1811, AVilliam Sargent upon the site 
of the present residence of James Rideout, and James 
McCluer on the site of the present residence of David 
Allen. A few years later the section of this road run- 
ning easterly to the cemetery near the schoolhouse in 
district seven, gave place to the present road. 

These roads were established at the first town meeting 
by the authority of the town, the previous meeting hav- 
ing assembled under the authority of the State of Massa- 
chusetts. Their aggregate length was about twenty 
miles, equal to fully one-fourth of the aggregate mileage 
of the roads of the town to-day. 

The inquiry naturally arises why so many miles of 
road were required for the number of families living in 
the town in 1811. This is easily explained. By the 
policy of the original proprietors every alternate range 
of lots from east to west was withheld from aale with the 
expectation that these lots would ultimately bring higher 
prices. This policy had the effect to scatter the homes 
of the early settlers widely over the town. 

The road that leads from the southwest corner of the 
mills at West Garland was established in 1816. This 
road originally terminated at the Murdock place but 
upon the completion of the Avenue road in 1842 this 
section was discontinued. 

The road running north from the east and west Center 
road, passing the present residence of George Ricker, 
was established in 1819. This was the first road lead- 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 335 

ing north from the east and west center road toward the 
summit of the hilly range. The road running north 
from the east and west center road, passing the residence 
of E. B. Strout, was established in 1821. 

The road running north from the east and west center 
road on the east line of the town was established in 1825 
for the convenience of the Robert Seward place, later 
occupied by the late J. Clark Richardson. The road 
running north from the east and west center road from 
a point a few rods east of the schoolhouse in school 
district No. 4, to the summit of the hilly range, was 
established in 1826. 

Among the early residents on this road, were the 
families of Eben Battles, Jacob Quimby, Samuel, Isaac, 
John and Stephen Ladd, David Stewart, John Perry and 
John Whiting. The road extending from Garland vil- 
lage to the south line of the town toward Exeter Corner 
was established on the route now traveled, in 1830. 
The early families living on or near this road were those 
of Benjamin H. Oak, George Curtis, David Johnson, 
Samuel VV. Knight, Israel Colley, Zebulon Knight and 
Elijah Norton. 

The northwest county road, which was a section of 
the county road extending from Dover to Dexter, was 
established about the year 1830, by authority of the 
county of Penobscot. In 1824 the road extending east- 
erly from Garland village to the site of the Burnham 
Cemetery was continued to the site of the present resi- 
dence of Thomas B. Packard, and in 1830 it was con- 
tinued to the east line of the town. There have been 
slight changes in the route of this road from time to 
time, the most important of which was made in 1855 
from the foot of the hill, known as the Preble hill, to 
the Oak store. 

Among the earlier residents upon this road were the 



336 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

families of Enoch Clough, the Rev. S. Rice, Daniel 
Ladd, Stephen Smith, William Sargent, Joseph Sargent, 
Joseph Prescott, Jeremiah Avery, Gilbert Wallace, 
Edward Richardson, Mark Burnham, George R. Coffin, 
Leonard Skillin, George Field and Henry Hicks. 

The south road from Garland village to West Garland 
was established in 1823. The early families upon this 
road M'ere those of Elisha Nye, Benjamin Pressey, 
Andrew Smith, Charles Shepherd, Noah Parkman, 
Shepherd Parkman, Albert Pai'kman, Oreson Parkman, 
William, Gideon, David and John Soule, Jonathan 
Lyford and the Rev. Asa Burnham. 

The Avenue road was established by the county in 
1835. The section within the limits of Garland is 
about four miles in length. It was not passable for 
heavy teams until 1844. 

The road from the site of Evergreen Cemetery to the 
Crowell mill site was established about the year 1834 
and was continued to the old county road a few years 
later. The early families upon or near this road were 
those of Josiah, Samuel and James Skillin, James 
Pillsbury and Solomon Allen. The road running from 
the schoolhouse at West Garland, to the west line of the 
town toward Dexter village was established in 1833. 
The early families upon this road were those of Daniel 
M. and William S. Haskell. 

The road running from the schoolhouse in district 
No. 10 to the north line of the town toward Dover vil- 
lage, was established in 1837. The early families upon 
this road were those of James Straw, Samuel Bridge, 
Stephen A. Berry, Simon French, James Hall, William 
Hunt and Richard Bickell. The road extending 
southerly from the northwest corner of the farm owned 
by Thomas B. Packard to the south line of the town 
was established in 1837. 



HISTORY OK GARLAND, MAINE 337 

The road running west on the north line of the town 
from the Dover to the Sangerville road was established 
in 1844. The earh- families upon this road were those 
of Mr. Merrill and Hernion Beal on the Dover side and 
George W. Ricker and George W. Ireland on the Gar- 
land side. The county road leading from the southeast 
-corner of the tow n to Garland village was established in 
two sections at diiferent dates. The first section, termi- 
nating at Holt's Mills, was established in 1858. Four 
years later the route was continued to Garland village. 

The notch county road derives its name from the 
notch or cut through the hilly range traversing the 
northerly section of the town from east to west. This 
road was established in 1846 by the joint action of the 
county commissioners of Penobscot and Piscataquis 
Counties. Its construction had just been completed at 
large expense when the advent of the Bangor & Piscata- 
quis Railroad i-endered it practically useless. 



The Present Trend of Merchandise 

Since the advent of railroads to this section the trend 
of merchandise has been to and from the various railroad 
stations instead of Bangor as a common center. Hence 
the town roads leading to and from railroad stations 
have become of more importance to the public than the 
earlier county roads, the latter being but little used 
except for local travel. 

There have been but few calls for new roads since the 
completion of the notch road. The total length of 
roads in town is fully sixty miles. The history of the 
roads in Garland, which has been briefly given, includes 



338 HISTORT OF GARLAND, MAINE 

the date of their establishment, their extent, the hard- 
ships of the earlier settlers in opening channels of com- 
munication with each other and the inhabitants of other 
towns, the dates of the settlement of the different sec- 
tions of the town, the names of the families who settled 
upon these roads, and the date when the transportation 
of heavy merchandise was transferred from the county 
roads to town roads leading to railroad stations. 



A Sketch of the History of the Congrega- 
tional Church of Garland 

The early records of this church were accidentally 
burned. Its early history is therefore mainly tradi- 
tional. The incidents herein given were obtained many 
years ago from the lips of some of its original members 
and their accuracy is confirmed by testimony from inde- 
pendent sources. Religious meetings were not of 
frequent or regular occurrence during the first years of 
the settlement. Many of the early settlers of the town- 
ship, then known as Lincolntown, having been religiously 
educated in the distant homes of their childhood keenly 
felt their destitution of religious privileges. The 
Christian Sabbath, which they had formerly observed as 
a day of rest and devoted to religious and spiritual 
improvement, now gave no sign of its presence save by a 
partial cessation of the ordinary employments of the 
week and the interchange of visits among the scattered 
families. 

Such was the condition of affairs when in the winter 
of 1806 the Rev. Samuel Sewall, one of the ubiquitous 
family of ministers of that name, first visited the town- 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

ship and preached, as good Deacon Haskell afterwards 
expressed it, ' 'to the starving souls of the wilderness. ' ' 
Mr. Sewall was the first minister to visit the township. 
He pi-eached at the residence of Joseph Garland, This 
was the first sermon in the township and the people 
from the scattering families heard him gladly. In their 
eagerness to hear the words of the living preacher, 
denominational preferences were forgotten. 

Mr. Sewall subsequently made several visits to the 
township. In sentiment he was a Congregationalist. 
Afterwards Mr. Lord of Harmony, a Methodist, 
preached several times in different parts of the township, 
once at Deacon Haskell's residence. A Mr. Cay ford 
preached occasionally in Mr. Garland's barn in the warm 
season of the year. The Rev. Mr. Kilby, a Methodist, 
and a brother of Mrs. Joseph Garland, preached occa- 
sionally in the township. 

No other ministers are known to have been in the 
township until the advent of the Rev. John Sawyer in 
the year 1809. Mr. Sawyer bore with him a commis- 
sion from the Maine Missionary Society, then recently 
organized, and entered upon his work in the wilderness 
with characteristic zeal. Through his efforts a church 
was organized in the month of March, 1810, at the resi- 
dence of Joseph Garland, the first settler. The ministers 
officiating at the organization were Reverends John 
Sawyer, Hezekiah May of Brown ville township, Jonathan 
Fisher of Bluehill, and perhaps Mighill Blood of Bucks- 
port. 

At the date of this organization there were only two 
Congregational churches within the present limits of 
Penobscot County. One at Brewer, organized Septem- 
ber 7, 1800, and one at Dixmont, organized November 
16, 1807, which is now extinct. The church at Garland 
was called the Congregational church of Lincolntown 



340 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

and vicinity until the incorporation of the town in 1811 
and its organization has been perpetuated to the present 
time. It included in its membership residents of other 
towns. The persons uniting with the church at the 
time of its organization were John S. Haskell, Joshua 
Silver and wife, Jacob Silver, Theophilus Morgan, Mrs. 
Nancy Gordon, Mrs. Justus Harriman, Mrs. Garland, 
Mrs. Bond and Mrs. Morgan. 

A meeting was held in July, 1810, to complete the 
organization, when Jolui Pratt, Mrs. Ezekiel Straw, 
Mrs. Weatherbee of Elkinstown, now Dexter, and Mrs. 
Haskell, probably Deacon John S. Haskell's wife, were 
admitted to membership. At this meeting, nineteen 
persons, adults and children, received the ordinance of 
baptism. The ministers in attendance were Reverends 
John Sawyer and Hezekiah Bailey of New Castle. 

A few years later members were received into this 
church from Piscataquis County. Among these were 
Deacon Carpenter and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Turner, Mrs. 
Mitchell, Mr, and Mrs. Bradbury, Mrs. Chamberlain 
and Mrs. Sherburne from Foxcroft; Mrs. Bolton, Mrs. 
Buck and others from Dover, and Mr. Loring and wife 
from Guilford. This relatively large addition was the 
occasion of great interest and encouragement to the little 
church in the wilderness and the sympathy between 
those who came and those who received was warm and 
active. The late Rev. Amasa Loring, the historian of 
Piscataquis County, said in a letter to the writer, "This 
was the heroic age of Christian life in this new region. 
If a notice was sent forward that a lecture would be 
preached at a certain time and place, the news was 
spread from house to house, and when the preacher 
arrived, all who could were sure to be present. When a 
communion season occurred, distant members, both men 
and women, would ride on horseback twelve or fifteen 



HISTORY or GARLAND, MAINE 341 

miles over rough and miry paths, guided on their dubi- 
ous way by spotted trees to attend church conference on 
Saturday afternoon, tarry with Christian friends over 
night, participate in the solemnities of the Sabbath and 
retrace their steps homeward on Monday morning 
through those gloomy forestways, cheered and strength- 
ened by the spiritual repast they had just enjoyed. In 
winter, whole families were sometimes carried those long 
distances on sleds drawn by oxen that they might enjoy 
Christian communion and fellowship, and that parents 
might secure the rite of baptism for their children." In 
after days, one good old church member of Foxcroft, 
when recounting the incidents of his journeys to Garland 
to attend meetings would, in his enthusiasm, get a little 
mixed. On one such occasion he averred that he would 
hitch his oxen to the sled and drive to Garland with his 
children and wife, good woman, she's gone to heaven 
now by a spotted line. The church at Garland was 
blessed with a healthy growth for several years under the 
ministrations of Father Sawyer. 

He may have received the assistance of other ministers 
but to what extent or by whom, tradition does not 
inform us. In 1822, the church suffered severe loss by 
the withdrawal of the members, eighteen in number, liv- 
ing in the Piscataquis valley, to organize a church after- 
wards known as the church of Foxcroft and vicinity. 
The first pastor of the new church at Foxcroft was the 
Rev. Thomas Williams. This withdrawal left but a 
single male member in the church at Garland, Deacon 
John S. Haskell. According to the Congregational 
policy of the times it required at least two male members 
to make valid the dismissal of members to other church 
organizations. Happily Ansel Field and wife became 
residents of Garland about that time and soon united 
with the church. The difficulty in the way of giving 



342 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

the Piscataquis members a formal dismission was thus 
overcome. 

At the time of the dismissal of these members Deacon 
Pratt of Foxcroft was clerk of the Garland church and 
had its records at his house which was burned shortly 
after and the records were thus lost. This explains the 
absence of the church's records for the first twelve years 
of its existence. In the period from 1810 to 1822 some 
of the original resident members of the church renounced 
Congregationalism and embraced the Universalist faith. 
This was another source of depletion, and was undoubt- 
edly due to the severity of Father Sawyer's religious 
creed. But in spite of these discouragements the little 
church lost neither faith nor hope. It was strengthened 
from time to time by in-coming residents who entered 
its ranks. 

At a meeting of the legal voters of the town of 
Garland, held August 6, 1825, it was voted to give the 
Rev. Isaac E. Wilkins a call to become its minister upon 
certain specified conditions having reference to his sup- 
port. Isaac Wheeler, Esq., Deacon John S. Haskell, 
Walter Holbrook, Ansel Field and Justus Harriman, 
were appointed a committee to wait on Mr. Wilkins and 
acquaint him wdth the action of the town, and ascertain 
whether the conditions were satisfactory. 

At an adjourned meeting, held August 11, the com- 
mittee reported that Mr. Wilkins had indicated his 
acceptance of the necessary conditions, whereupon the 
town voted to give him a call to become its minister. 
Isaac Wheeler, Esq., Justus Harriman and Daniel Ladd 
were appointed to inform Mr. Wilkins of this action of 
the town. The town also voted to pay Mr. Wilkins 
one hundred and eighty dollars for one year, one third in 
money, and the other two thirds in grain, labor, or what 
should be necessary for his support and comfort as a 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 343 

minister of the Gospel. By virtue of this action Mr. 
Wilkins became Garland's first settled minister. 

He had been educated at the Bangor Theological 
Seminary, and was Congregationalist in creed. He, 
with candidates of other denominations, had occasionally 
preached in town. Up to this time the Congregational 
church had been the only organized church in town. It 
was fitting that the preference of this church should be 
consulted in the selection of a minister. 

Mr. Wilkins was installed on October 12, 1825, under 
the auspices of the Congregational church. It was an 
occasion of great interest. A platform had been built 
where the Congregational meetinghouse now stands and 
was sheltered by a bower of evergreen boughs. In front 
of it was a large and interested audience. Rev. Pro- 
fessor Smith of the Bangor Seminary, the Rev. S. L. 
Pomroy of Bangor, Rev. Thomas Williams of Foxcroft, 
and Rev. N. W. Sheldon with numerous lay delegates 
composed the council. Professor Smith preached the 
sermon which was afterwards published. 

It will be seen by the foregoing statements that 
Garland's first settled minister was settled by the town. 
For an explanation of this we must go back to a former 
century. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts was the 
owner of the Province of Maine until the Act of Separ- 
ation in 1820. 

The public men of that State took great interest in 
their Eastern Province and were always ready to aid in 
measures to promote the welfare of the towns which were 
springing into existence over its surface. In the year 
1 796 that State gave the township we now call Garland 
to Williams College, located in the town of Williamston, 
Mass. It was then a wilderness without a human habi- 
tation or even a name. It was designated as township 
number three, in the fifth range of townships north of 



S44 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

the Waldo Patent. Among the conditions of this gift 
to the college was the reservation of three lots of land of 
three hundred and twenty acres each for certain public 
purposes. One of these lots was reserved for the benefit 
of the first settled minister, to which Mr. Wilkins was 
clearly entitled. In his engagement however he cov- 
enanted to deed to the town three eighths of this lot. 
The reason for this is not shown by the records and 
must therefore be a matter of inference. He would need 
means for the support of his family before he could 
realize anything from the sale of his land. The pre- 
sumption is that he relinquished to the town three 
eighths of the land that belonged to him as the first 
settled minister, in consideration of the sum of one hun- 
dred and eighty dollars promised him by the town for 
one year's service. It is also probable that this sum 
was raised by voluntary subscription. There are no 
records to show that the town, as a municipality, con- 
tributed to his support after the first year. 

Having been installed, Mr. Wilkins entered upon his 
work with zeal and hope. He resided in the house as it 
then was, now occupied by the Clark family in the upper 
part of the village. The place of his regular ministra- 
tion upon the Sabbath was at the old Center schoolhouse 
which was located at the geographical center of the 
town, and which at that time, afforded the largest audi- 
ence room in town. Mr. Wilkins was a man of pleasing 
address, dignified bearing, good abilities and a ready off 
hand speaker. His relations with his people were of a 
pleasant character. 

The expenses of a growing family, transcending the 
ability of his parishioners to pay, his pastorate termi- 
nated September 2, 1830. At this time there were 
three evangelical churches in the town, the Baptist, Free 
Will Baptist, afterwards known as the Free Baptist, and 



HISTORY OF OAKLAND, MAINE 346 

the Congregational church. There was alao a Methodist 
organization in the town. The first three denominations 
mentioned, united for the purpose of sustaining meet- 
ings, each in turn supplying someone to preach to the 
people when practicable, or to conduct religious services 
when no minister appeared. 

The Maine Missionary Society furnished preaching for 
a few Sabbaths each year. Among those sent by this 
society were the Reverends Calvin White, Lewis Pennell, 
John A. Vinton, Aurelius Swift and James Caruthers, a 
native of Scotland. The aid furnished by the Missionary 
Society was supplemented by the voluntary subscription 
of the people. Mr. Caruthers attracted the attention 
of his hearers by his great size, fervid zeal and Scotch 
dialect. 

While as a general rule the current of brotherly sym- 
pathy ran smoothly along through this trio of religious 
societies, there was occasionally a ripple of disturbance. 
At the close of a preaching service Mr. Caruthers 
announced that he would preach to this people in one 
week when a Baptist brother sprang to his feet and gave 
notice that a minister of his denomination was expected 
to occupy the desk at the same time. Mr. Caruthers 
then announced that he would preach from this desk in 
two weeks. A Free Baptist brother arose to say that a 
minister of his denomination had an appointment to 
preach here in two weeks. Instantaneously the tower- 
ing form of Mr. Caruthers presented itself to the audi- 
ence, and in his Scotch dialect, intensified by excitement, 
he announced that "in three weeks from this day, i 

will preach to this people if I CAN FIND THE BRANCH OF 
A TREE TO SHELTER ME 'eAD. " 

At the termination of the arrangement whereby the 
three societies had held religious meetings together the 
Congregational society worshipped by itself for a time. 



346 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

At the meetings of the society on the Sabbath Deacon 
Stephen Smith, a good reader, procured the printed 
sermons of eminent ministers and read them to the 
people. Meetings thus conducted were interesting and 
profitable. 

"Protracted meetings," extending through four or 
five days, were of yearh' occurrence, and were partici- 
pated in b}^ the religious people of the town. One of 
these meetings was favored by the presence of the Rev. 
Jotham Sewall. Mr. Sewall was a man of large size and 
impressive personality and was known throughout the 
State for his earnest and effective appeals to religious 
life. The writer, then a boy of sixteen, was a listener 
to one of his sermons. At the end of one of his most 
impassioned appeals an incident invested with a dramatic 
element occurred. He had listened, he said, to a sermon 
by VVhitefield who, after an earnest appeal to the 
unconverted, suddenly paused and bringing one foot 
forcibly to the floor, exclaimed, "Stop; Gabriel, stop; 
do not return to the heavenly portals until you can carry 
the news that, at least one soul has been converted." 

In 1835, inspired by the faith, zeal, and indomitable 
courage of the veteran missionary of Eastern Maine, the 
Rev. John Sawyer, the church and society entered upon 
measures for building a meetinghouse. A compau}' was 
organized to be known as the Congregational Meeting 
House Company of Garland. A constitution and by- 
laws were adopted to go into effect when the company 
should be legally incorporated. It was provided that 
the stock should be divided into twenty -four shares of 
fifty dollars each, and that when eighteen or more shares 
should have been taken, the location of the building 
should be fixed, its size and style determined, and a 
building committee appointed. One of the by-laws 
forbade the use of ardent spirits in raising the house, or 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 347 

in any part of the work connected with its construction. 
There was considerable preliminary discussion as to the 
size and style of the building. The members of the 
church and society were struggling to meet the ordinary 
demands upon their resources. All felt the necessity of 
economy of expenditure in its construction. Some 
favored a very small and plain building, bare of belfry 
or steeple. Others contended that its size must be 
determined by prospective as well as present necessities, 
and that a bell would be among the wants of the future, 
which would require a belfry. 

Louis Goulding, a member of the church, who was 
always ready with a facetious remark upon subjects com- 
ical or serious, said that "The purpose was to build a 
house for God. Without belfry or steeple it would be 
God's barn and not God's house." The size and style, 
and all necessary preliminary matters, were at length 
determined, and plans were prepared. Benjamin H. 
Oak was appointed treasurer, who with the Rev. John 
Sawyer and William Godwin were constituted a build- 
ing committee. The eighteen shares, the condition 
precedent to building, had been taken and the work was 
entered upon at once. 

Austin Newell of Monson, an experienced builder, was 
employed to take charge of the construction of the build- 
ing. The original subscribers to the stock were Deacon 
Smith, Deacon John S. Haskell, and the Rev. John 
Sawyer, who subscribed for two shares each, and George 
Curtis, Josiah Merriam, Joseph True, Jr., James 
Greeley, Abraham True, Lewis Goulding, Benjamin H. 
Oak, Isaac Wheeler, William Godwin, Jacob Greeley, 
Raymond Copeland, J. Holyoke, and H. N. Pake, who 
subscribed for one share each. 

The two last named subscribers were citizens of 
Brewer. The foundation of the meetinghouse was built 



348 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

and the frame raised and covered in 1835. Here the 
work rested until the following spring. The raising of 
the building called together a large number of willing 
helpers as well as spectators. A bountiful dinner and 
an abundant supply of hot coffee took the place of the 
stimulants which, in earlier days, were deemed necessary 
to the successful raising of large buildings. 

In the spring of 1836 work was renewed on the church 
by Mr. Newell, who had entered upon a contract to 
complete the building. Early in 1837 the new church 
was finished and dedicated. Occupying a commanding 
site in the center of the village, its modest belfry has 
through all the years indicated the high purpose of its 
construction, and announced to the passing stranger that 
there are people in this community who know the 
Christian's Sabbath and worship the Christian's God. 

When the church was completed considerable money 
was realized from the sale of pews to individuals. Still 
the Meeting House Company found itself in debt and 
several years passed before the debt was fully paid. 
Father Sawyer appealed to acquaintances in Bangor and 
Brewer for aid to pay the debt who responded in five 
and ten dollar subscriptions. 

Edward Hill of New York, a brother of Mrs. Josiah 
Merriam, contributed liberally to this fund. The late 
Colonel John S. Kimball of Bangor is authority for the 
statement that Father Sawyer's zeal in aid of building 
the church, led him to mortgage his farm to raise money 
to pay his subscription to the building fund and that 
a short time previous to his death a pension from the 
Government for services in the war of the Revolution 
enabled his friends to pay the balance due on the mort- 
gage and redeem the farm. 



HI8TORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 349 

Pastorate of the Rev. S. S. Drake 

In 1837, the Rev. S. S. Drake became the acting 
pastor of the parish. He had previously labored here 
under the auspices of the Maine Missionary Society. 
He was installed as pastor February 24, 1841, and filled 
the pastorate until March, 1847, when his relations to 
the parish were severed. Mr. Drake was a pleasing and 
popular preacher, and his relations to the church had, in 
the main, been pleasant and satisfactory, but unfor- 
tunately cases of discipline were followed by dissensions 
that could not be healed so long as he remained its 
pastor. 

The Congregational meetinghouse was ready for occu- 
pancy about the time that Mr. Drake commenced his 
term of service, and he preached from its pulpit for a 
period of about ten years. Mr. Drake was followed by 
Mr. P. B. Thayer, then a recent graduate of Bangor 
Theological Seminary. Before the completion of his 
course at the seminary he was introduced to members of 
the Congregational church by a personal friend whom he 
was visiting, and by invitation, he occasionally preached 
from the Congregational pulpit. These pulpit efforts 
were followed by a unanimous call to the pastorate of 
the church. Accepting the call, his ordination and 
installation took place on December 21, 1848. 

The members of the council on this interesting occa- 
sion were the Revs. Wooster Parker of the Foxcroft and 
Dover church, E. G. Carpenter of the Dexter church, 
W. S. Sewall of the Brownville church and Horatio 
Illsley of the Monson church. Revs. Henry White and 
Enselius Hale were present. The pastorate, so auspi- 
ciously opened in 1848, extended to May, 1896, a period 
of almost forty-eight years without a break ; the longest 
pastorate then existing in New England in the Congre- 



350 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

gational line save one in Massachusetts, and it is not too 
much to say, a pastorate whose harmony was very 
seldom disturbed by discordant sounds. 

The persons who have officiated as deacons of this 
church are John S. Haskell, Joel Pratt, Stephen Smith, 
George Curtis, Samuel Coan, John Rideout, Luther 
Rideout, Boardman Wood and Martin Rideout, none of 
whom are now living. The present deacon is Stephen 
R. Came. The clerks have been Joel Pratt, Stephen 
Smith, Rev. P. B. Thayer and Miss Sarah A. Curtis. 
Miss Curtis served long and efficiently and is still clerk 
at this time, (1911). The Rev. T. W. Harwood 
followed Mr. Thayer as pastor. 

Mr. Harwood was a graduate of the Bangor Theo- 
logical Seminary, and his religious views were in 
harmony with the teachings of that institution. He 
was a man of fine abilities. His sermons were logical, 
instructive and uplifting and he never failed to hold the 
attention of his audience while speaking. From his 
large fund of information he drew material for frequent 
interesting and instructive lectures upon moral, religious 
and secular subjects. 



Historical Sketch of the Free Baptist Church 

At the opening of the present century the Free Bap- 
tist denomination was in its infancy. The simplicity of 
its creed and the earnestness of the appeals of its 
ministers attracted to its membership many of the 
earlier inhabitants of Garland. In 1809, the Rev. Asa 
Burnham from Nottingham, N. H., a minister of the 
Free Baptist denomination and an excellent man, moved 
into the township, and commenced making a home for 
his family upon land formerly owned by Robert Seward. 



HISTORY OK GARLAND, MAINE 351 

Josiah Bartlett, afterwai'ds known as Elder Josiah 
Bartlett, was the first citizen of the new township to 
express a preference for the Free Baptist creed in a 
public manner, and this he did by receiving the ordi- 
nance of baptism at the home of Elder Burnham on the 
last day of December, 1809. A little later his wife, 
Mrs. Sally Bartlett, was baptized by the Rev. Samuel 
Hutchins of New Portland, Maine. 

The Free Baptists of that time had no organized 
system of missions. This, and other towns, were visited 
from time to time by ministers drawn thither, in the 
parlance of the times, by the leadings of Providence. 
Among them were Elders Joseph Farewell, Samuel 
Hutchins and Lincoln Lewis. From 1820 to 1825 
prayer and conference meetings were held at the Center 
and other schoolhouses, which were freely participated 
in by members of other denominations. The spirit of 
union which prevailed at that early day has happily been 
perpetuated to the present time. 

In 1825, it had become the settled conviction of 
several persons that a church of the Free Will Bap- 
tist denomination should become a verity. 

Acting upon this conviction a council consisting of 
Elder John Page and Deacons Ebenezer Towle and 
Joseph Walker of Exeter assembled on the 9th day of 
April, 1825, when a church was organized, and given 
the name of the Free Will Baptist church of Garland. 
The persons uniting with this church at this time were 
Josiah Bartlett, Joseph Strout, Joseph Johnson, Sally 
Bartlett, Grace Ladd, Lucy Silver, Sally Strout and 
Harriet Chandler. A large and flourishing church has 
grown from this beginning. 

Joseph Strout was its first clerk and to Josiah Bartlett 
was committed its pastoral care. It promptly sought 
connection with the Exeter Quarterly meeting, whose 



352 HISTOKY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

organization was probably only a year earlier. Such 
connection was effected in June of the following year. 
For some years thereafter it enjoyed the ministration of 
Elder John Page, who became a resident of Garland and 
a member of the church in 1826. The Rev. Leonard 
Hathaway made his first visit to Garland and preached 
one or more Sabbaths to the Free Will Baptist people 
in the year 1828. His fervid and earnest appeals made 
an impression upon those who heard him that was never 
forgotten. In the first five years of this church about 
forty persons were admitted to membership by baptism 
and twenty by letter. In the following five years there 
was a decrease in numbers. 

In 1830, Samuel V. Nason a member of the church, 
was licensed to preach and was ordained to the work of 
the ministry in the following June. A Sabbath-school 
was organized in 1830 and John P. Smith was chosen 
superintendent. In 1834, the church was afflicted by 
the death of their esteemed minister. Elder John Page. 

Elder Page was born in Wentworth, N. H., Febru- 
ary 11, 1787. He was for a time a resident of Alton, 
N. H. In 1824 he moved to Corinna. After a year's 
residence at Corinna he moved to Exeter and thence to 
Garland in 1826. 

From 1830 to 1835 there were no additions to this 
church. At the end of its first ten years the church 
numbered thirty-one members. Its record indicates 
that from the year 1834 it had no regular preaching 
until the coming of Elder Moses Ames in 1839. In the 
intervening time there had been occasional preaching by 
ministers who were laboring in the vicinity. In 1840, 
ten persons were added to the church. Measures were 
entered upon for building a meetinghouse in 1840, 
which materialized in 1841. 

It was located about a mile east of the geographical 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE S68 

center of the town and was dedicated in January, 1842. 
The dedicatory sermon was preached by the Rev. Abel 
Turner. The first church conference in the new house, 
held in P'ebruary, 18452, was an occasion of great 
interest. Two persons presented themselves for baptism 
at this conference and candidates for this ordinance pre- 
sented themselves at each conference thereafter until 
July, when Moses Twombly and John Batchelder were 
chosen deacons. 

This period of prosperity so auspiciously begun was 
followed by a season of severe trial. Many members 
abandoned the church to enter the ranks of that wild 
religious craze known as Millerism. Some of the more 
intelligent of those who had been carried off their feet 
by this turbid current returned to the church and its 
ordinances. From the date of the death of Elder John 
Page the church was destitute of a pastor until the com- 
ing of Elder Moses Ames in 1839. During this period 
of destitution the church was favored by occasional 
preaching by different ministers, among whom was Elder 
Harvey of Atkinson, who preached in 1836, and bap- 
tized several persons. The Rev. Mr. Nason and other 
ministers supplied the pulpit occasionally. In 1842, 
John I. D. Sanford was elected clerk of the church, a 
position which he held for many years. Mr. Sanford 
had previously been officially connected with the Free 
Will Baptist church in Bangor. 

Elder Josiah Bartlett, who had exercised the general 
pastoral care over the church from the date of its organ- 
ization, relinquished such care to Elder T. W. Dore in 
1842. During the second decade in the history of the 
church there were fifty-nine additions by baptism and 
twenty-nine by letter. In 1845, Elder T. W. Dore 
became pastor of the church. Josiah Bartlett was its 



354 HISTORY OF GAEL AND, MAINE 

presiding elder, Moses Twombly and John Batchelder, 
its deacons, and John I. D. Sanford, its clerk. 

The church had hardly recovered from the numerous 
defections through the influence of Millerism before it 
was confronted by the deaths of several of its oldest and 
most esteemed members. On the 25th of August, 
1846, Deacon Moses Twombly dropped from the ranks. 
He had been one of the pillars of the church and his 
loss was deeply deplored. In less than twenty days 
thereafter Elder Bartlett, who had been the prime mover 
in bringing his loved church into existence, closed his 
eyes upon all earthly affairs. His death occurred 
September 12, 1846. 

Elder Moses Ames was called to the pastorate of the 
church April 14, 1846. On October 6 of the same 
year Robert Seward and Zebulon Knight were chosen 
deacons. In March the church voted to support its 
minister by the taxation of its members, and that his 
compensation should be two dollars per Sabbath, which 
was considered a liberal compensation. A subsequent 
vote allowed him eighty cents per day for pastoral visits 
but this vote was afterwards recalled by request of Eider 
Ames. The ministers of the denomination were 
expected to provide themselves with farms from which 
the support of their families was largely derived. 

In 1849, twenty-seven persons became members of the 
church by profession and several others by letter. In 
June of 1849 the Rev. Joseph Cook became a resident 
of the town and a member of the Free Will Baptist 
church. He soon came to be esteemed as a warm- 
hearted and intelligent member of the Free Baptist 
church and a well balanced citizen of the town. He 
was an earnest friend of the slave and of the temperance 
reform. In August, 1849, eight citizens of Bangor 
became members of the Garland Free Baptist church 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINK 355 

and a branch thereof. Seven years later they withdrew 
to unite with the church of their own locality. Elder 
Moses Ames retired from the pastorate of the church in 
1850 and was followed by Elder T. W. Dore. 

Elder Ames was a man of sanguine temperament, 
liberal views, and was tolerant towards other denomi- 
nations. He was in active and earnest sympathy with 
the anti-slavery and temperance movements. In 1851, 
Elder Cook was employed to preach one fourth of the 
time. In 1852, Elder Leonard Hathaway united with 
the church and became its pastor. He brought to its 
service a vigorous constitution and a religious fervor and 
enthusiasm which insured a large measure of success. 
There is a tradition that at a meeting held ten months 
subsequent to the beginning of his pastorate, he vehe- 
mently exclaimed, "Souls must be born or I cannot 
live." 

Inspired by this feeling he labored with a zeal and 
earnestness that was followed by a religious awakening 
that resulted in the addition of twenty-five members to 
the church by baptism and others were received by 
letter. In March, 1854, John Batchelder was licensed 
to preach by the Exeter Quarterly meeting. In 1855, 
the church voted to employ Elder Hathaway every 
Sabbath. The membership at the end of the third 
decade was ninety-seven, a net gain of thirty-one in ten 
years. 

In 1859, Elder Hathaway's salary was raised to three 
hundred dollars. In March, 1862, he was allowed a 
vacation of two months on account of impaired health. 
In 1863, he closed his labors with the church, having 
had the pastorate care of it for a period of eleven years, 
a period of religious prosperity during which there had 
been nearly one hundred accessions. His intimate rela- 
tions with his people were not easily terminated. They 



356 HISTORY OF OAKLAND, MAINE 

were earnestly desirous of retaining him but he believed 
that duty called him to another field, and where duty 
called he was accustomed to go, and going he bore with 
him the warm sympathies and best wishes of his sorrow- 
ful people. 

Elder Hathaway was succeeded by the Rev. Appleton 
W. Reed, who had been a minister of the Christian 
denomination. After passing a satisfactory examination 
he was received into the Free Baptist church of Garland 
on the 2d of May, 1863, and entered at once upon his 
pastoral duties. In 1864, his salary was fixed at two 
hundred and fifty dollars, with the understanding that 
this sum would be generously supplemented yearly by 
donations. 

The church, which had numbered ninety-seven in 
1855, had reached the number of one hundred and 
fifteen in 1865. The death of Deacon Zebulon Knight 
occurred in August, 1865, at the end of nineteen years 
of service in this capacity. His successor was George 
W. Otis, In the year 1866, both minister and people 
had come to believe that the village of Garland should 
be made the central point of influence and effort. 
Elder Reed, between whom and Rev. P. B. Thayer, of 
the Congregational church, the most friendly relations 
existed, is authority for the statement that the idea of 
making the village the headquarters of his church and 
people was first suggested by his friend, the Rev. P. B. 
Thayer. Then, as now, the Free Baptist people were 
the most numerous in the easterly part of the town, a 
fact that explained why their first meetinghouse had 
been built two and one half miles from the village. But 
now the attendance had become largely increased and 
demanded larger accommodations. The decision was 
reached to build a meetinghouse of larger size at the 
village, to take the place of the original house. Elder 



I 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 357 

Reed was appointed to solicit subscriptions to the build- 
ing fund. Greenbacks were then plenty. Entering 
upon his work with confidence and zeal, he had at the 
end of three and one half days the happiness of pre- 
senting to his people subscriptions amounting to more 
than five thousand dollars. 

The subscriptions were paid with creditable prompt- 
ness. The work of construction was promptly begun 
and carried to an early completion. Only a small debt 
remained to disturb the equanimity of the contributors 
to the building fund. The new house was complete in 
size, attractive in appearance and an ornament to the 
village. It was dedicated on December 15, 1866. 
Rev. A. W. Reed preached the dedicatory sermon. 
Revs. A. L. Gerrish, P. B. Thayer, G. S. Bryant and 
A. P. Tracy assisted in the services. It may be said in 
this connection that years later Mr. B. P. Hubbard of 
Stetson, formerly a member of the Free Baptist church 
of Garland, generously furnished a bell for this church. 

In 1867, the salary of Elder Reed was raised to four 
hundred dollars, to be increased by the donations of a 
generously disposed community. In 1867, Josiah Davis 
was chosen deacon of the church. In 1871, Elder Reed 
resigned his pastorate to accept a position at the State 
College in Orono. During his stay in Garland his rela- 
tions to his own people and to the community generally 
w^ere of the most pleasant character and his resignation 
was the occasion for general regret. 

The Rev. Leonard Hathaway was again called to the 
pastoral charge of the church but his relations thereto 
were continued only a single year, which together with 
his former pastorate, made twelve years of pastoral care 
over the Free Baptist church of Garland. His people 
would gladly have retained him but advancing years and 
increasing infirmities led him to decline further service. 



358 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

Elder Hathaway was followed by W. C. Hulse, who 
was ordained to the ministry, and elected pastor of the 
church on March 13, 1872. Elder Hulse was an 
earnest laborer in the work of the church and Sabbath- 
school. Soon after his entrance upon his labors here 
one hundred dollars was raised to enlarge the Sabbath - 
school library. During a pastorate of about twelve 
months eight persons were added to the church. In 
March, 1873, he resigned his pastorate and was followed 
by the Rev. Leonard Hutchins of New Portland, Maine, 
who entered upon his labors here in August, 1873, and 
was elected pastor in September, 1873. Upon the 
opening of his pastorate he found that there was an 
unpaid balance of about four hundred dollars due upon 
the cost of building the new church. This was soon 
liquidated. Elder Hutchins' labors extended into out- 
lying districts with gratifying results. 

The year 1875 marked the semi-centennial existence 
of the Free Baptist church. This anniversary was 
made an occasion of great interest. The address by the 
Rev. Leonard Hutchins was replete with interesting 
facts and incidents connected with the history of the 
church. The interest of the occasion was greatly 
increased by the presence of the Rev. Leonard 
Hathaway, who had been its pastor for twelve years, 
and familiar with its history for a much longer period, 
and whose narrations, drawn from the storehouse of a 
remarkable memory, were listened to with absorbing 
interest. 

At the date of this anniversary the church numbered 
one hundred and two members. The Sabbath-school 
numbered one hundred and twenty scholars. The 
church had during its history of fifty years seven 
pastors. The whole number received into the church in 
the first fifty years of its history was three hundred and 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 359 

fifty-nine. The number dismissed by letter was ninety- 
five. The number dropped from its rolls as the result 
of discipline is not known to the writer. Through its 
whole past history it has been abreast with the best 
sentiment relatina: to current moral reforms. 



Garland in the War of the Rebellion 

Early in the season of 1861 ominous war clouds began 
to darken the southern sky. The more hopeful flattered 
themselves with the belief that all danger of war with 
the South would soon disappear, until the thunders of 
the bombardment of Fort Sumpter awakened them to 
the fact that it was already on, and the call for seventy- 
five thousand men indicated that they would have a part 
in it. 



Early Demonstrations 

The patriotic impulses of the people soon material- 
ized. Under the lead of Isaac W. Haskell a flag staff" 
reaching one hundred and ten feet towards the blue of 
heaven was put in position. The women of the town, 
not a whit behind their masculine friends in patriotic 
manifestations, soon had a flag of appropriate dimen- 
sions waving from its top. A mass meeting was soon 
assembled when the large crowd listened to stirring 
speeches from Noah, David and Lewis Barker of Exeter, 
a Mr. Lowell of Foxcroft, and the Revs. P. B. Thayer 
and Leonard Hathaway of Garland. The speech of 



360 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

Lewis Barker, which was alleged to have been his first 
before a popular audience, was a speech of remarkable 
power. 



Calls for Men in 1861 

The war soon began to present more serious aspects 
to the citizens of Garland. The calls for men to enter 
the ranks of the army were frequent. Forty-five men 
were mustered into the United States service in 1861. 
The male population in 1861 was seven hundred and 
eighty-five. Every seventeenth man entered the service 
in that eventful year. 



Action of the Town Relating to Families of 

the Men Who Had Enlisted in the Ranks 

of the Army in 1861 

At a town meeting held November 16, 1861, the 
following vote was passed: "That Daniel M. Haskell, 
Daniel Silver and James J. Chandler be appointed a 
committee to whom the families of persons who have 
volunteered their services, or may hereafter volunteer 
their service in defense of their country, and who at the 
time of their enlistment are inhabitants of this town, 
may apply for aid, and upon such application it shall be 
the duty of said committee to visit the families so 
applying to ascertain if the aid asked for, or any aid is 
necessary, and when it is found necessary to aid such 
families; it shall be the duty of said committee to 



HISTOKY OF GARLAND, MAINE 361 

report the amount and kind of aid necessary to the 
selectmen, whose duty it shall be promptly to provide 
such aid, and in granting such aid to such families no 
disabilities of any kind whatever shall be created by 
reason of aid so furnished and received." No provision 
for the reimbursement from the State treasury of money 
expended was made until March, 1862. 

On the 28th of July, 1862, the town voted to raise 
eight hundred dollars, and to pay each of the fifteen 
soldiers, or the town's quota, fifty-three dollars on being 
mustered into United States service, and authorized the 
treasurer to hire the sum above named. On the 8th of 
September, 1862, the town voted to pay a bounty of 
twenty dollars to each of our quota, sixteen in number, 
also voted to present to each of them, or their friends, 
eighty dollars after being mustered into the services of 
the United States. The town treasurer was authorized 
to hire sixteen hundred dollars. On the 9th of March, 
1863, the town voted to raise five hundred dollars for 
the families of volunteers and the selectmen were 
appointed a committee to execute the purpose of the 
vote. 

On the 26th day of August, 1863, the town voted to 
pay one hundred dollars to every drafted man who 
entered the service of his country himself, or furnished 
a substitute, payable when he or his substitute was 
mustered into service. On November 23, 1863, the 
town voted that the sum of two hundred dollars be paid 
to each person who should enlist and be duly mustered 
into the service of the United States. 

On the 14th of March, 1864, the town appropriated 
five hundred dollai*s to pay State aid to the families of 
volunteers. On August 10th, 1864, the town voted to 
appropriate twenty-five dollars per man of this town's 
quota, to be used in recruiting men for the quota of 



S6^ HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

Garland. On August 29th, 1864, the town voted to 
appropriate one hundred dollars per man, to encourage 
enlistment to fill its quota under the call of the Presi- 
dent for five hundred thousand men. It was voted to 
authorize the treasurer to raise a sum not exceeding two 
thousand dollars, to pay bounties to volunteers. 

Upon September 12th, 1864, the town voted upon a 
proposed amendment of the State constitution, allowing 
the citizens of Maine, absent therefrom in the military 
service of the United States, to vote wherever they 
might be on a specified day, for governor, senators and 
county officers. Upon this amendment the vote of 
Garland was two hundred and fourteen in favor, none 
against. 

On October 15th, 1864, the town voted a sum not to 
exceed three thousand, one hundred dollars, to pay 
bounties to volunteers. On the 31st day of December, 
1864, the town voted to pay a bounty of one hundred 
dollars to volunteers under the call of the President, 
also to pay two hundred and fifty dollars additional to 
each, provided the coast guards were sent to the front. 
The treasurer was authorized to hire four thousand 
dollars. On February 10th, 1865, the town voted to 
pay four hundred and fifty dollars to volunteers, di'afted 
men and all enlisted men who furnished substitutes. 

The town of Garland furnished one hundred and 
forty-seven men to enter the ranks of those who fought 
for the preservation of the government which the 
patriots of the Revolution had risked their lives and all 
their earthly possessions to establish. Of those one 
hundred and forty-seven men, one hundred and twenty- 
eight were residents of Garland, and nineteen were sub- 
stitutes of residents of Garland from other places. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 



363 



Names of Residents of Garland AVho Volun- 
teered to Fight Under the Old Flag 



Adams, Isaiah 
Allen, William W. 
Allen, Ebenezer S. 
Atkins, Geo. E. 
Bragdon, Eugene 
BeiTy, Stephen G. 
Berry, Stephen A. 
Brown, Henry J. 
Bell, John H. 
Bosworth, Daniel A. 
Berry, Arthur A. 
Berry, Thomas L. 
Burnham, B. W. 
Batchelder, Alonzo F. 
Brown, William 
Bell, Hiram F. 
Bartlett, John W. 
Batchelder, Edgar S. 
Batchelder, Alonzo 
Currier, Judson W. 
Clark, Joseph A. 
Clark, James H. 
Came, Stephen R. 
Cole, Jedediah 
Carr, William H. 
Chamberlain, Henry A. 
Coan, Elisha S. 
Coan, Frederick C. 
Campbell, John 
Champion, Sumner P. 
Champion, Richard K. 
Dearborn, Francis M. 



Fall, Isaac R. 
Gerry, John M. 
Grover, Luke M. 
Goodwin, Samuel W. 
Gee, James M. 
Grover, Cyrus S. 
Hatch, Geo. W. 
Handy, Wesley H. 
Hubbard, Benjamin T. 
Haskell, Frederick A. 
Hatch, Benjamin C. 
Haskell, Isaac W. 
Haskell, Bennett A. 
Haskell, Jason F. 
Haskell, Charles 
Hill, Edwin 
Harlow, Hosea 
Hall, Elijah 
Holt, Adelbert 
Hathaway, Asa 
Hoyt, Eben (Navy) 
Ireland, George 
Johnson, Jonathan G. 
Jones, Geo. W. 
Jackman, Justus H. 
Knox, Sumner 

Knight, John S.,K"tfa,ri^.) 
Lyford, Fifield 
Leighton, Warren C. 
Lovejoy, Levi 
Ladd, William R. 
Littlefield, Isaac Y. 



364 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 



Davis, John A. 
Dore, Seth 
Ellis, Alden B. 
Flanders, Robert G. 
Fox, Samuel 
French, Robert T. 
Fogg, Pel eg 
Fogg, Alonzo M. 
Farmer, Randall 
Flanders, James H. 
French, Henry M. 
Flanders, Henry E. 
Osgood, Edward 
Pennington, Christopher 
Palmer, Erastus L. 
Preble, Melvin 
Page, James W. 
Quimby, Jacob, Jr. 
Ramsdell, Henry 
Ranivsdell, Seth 
Ramsdell, Job 
Ramsdell, Austin 
Ramsdell, Franklin 
Reed, Nicholas G. 
Rideout, Luther M. 
Sawtelle, Delbert H. 
Smith, Josiah 
Smith, John T. 
Smith, George 
Straw, Alfred B. 
Straw, Giles 
Skillin, William E. 



Miller, Henry B. 
Mansfield, William 
Morton, Mark P. 
Morton, Anderson P. 
Merriam, Leander O. 
Murph}', Joseph J. 
Mansfield, HoHis 
Merriam, Chas. E. 
McComb, John H. 
Osgood, Calvin R. 
Osgood, Wesley 
Osgood, Marquis D. L. 
Skillin, Francis M. 
Skillin, Joseph W. 
Skillin, Samuel L. 
Skillin, Thomas J. 
SkiUin, Chas. E. 
Skillin, David 
Skillin, Hugh S. 
Skillin, William H. 
Swett, Henry A. 
Stillings, Roger 
Stillings, Raymond 
Titcomb, Charles C. 
Titcomb, Leonard H. 
Titcomb, Frank W. 
Twombly, John D. 
Tiplady, James A. 
Thomas, Frederick P. 
True, Joseph L. 
True, Benjamin 
Wellington, George 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 



365 



A I^ist of Drafted Men Who Furnished Sub- 
stitutes 



Principals 

Frank Garland 
John K. Gee 
John T. Amazine 

A. J. Flanders, 2d 
Frank Emerson 
Chas. H. Davis 
Joel W. Otis 
Samuel Y. Merrill 
Samuel Foss 
Henry Merrill 
Fred Fields 
Alonzo F. Parkman 
Jonathan F. Crowell 

B. P. Hubbard 
John W. Seward 
Delbert M. Sawtelle 
Noah W. Johnson 
Leonard C. Hathaway 
Samuel O. Davis 



Substitutes 
James M, Blake 
Hiram F. Bell 
Oliver W. Cutts 
Martin W. Dugan 
Roscoe Doble 
George W. Fisher 
Dennis Griffin 
Josiah Lyons 
David R. Lane 
Edwin Marden 
Alonzo Morton 
Alphonzo L. Ober 
Lewis M. Porter 
Benjamin F. Russell 
Isaac W, Sandborn 
George W. Frost 
Mark P. Morton 
George W. Hatch 
George A. Drake 



A List of Non-resident ^''olunteers Assigned 
to Garland 



Frank Drew, navy 
Chas. A. Doliver, navy 
John DriscoU, navy 
Nathan G. Dyer 
Nathaniel A. Kinney 



William G. Lee 
George F. Haley 
Samuel D. Rankin 
Thomas L. Pillsbury 
Stillman B. Judkins 



366 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 



George S. Daniels 
James H. Roundv 



John Campbell 
Thomas A. Morton 
Edson Holmes 



Reenlistments 



Henry B. Miller 
William Mansfield 
William H. Can- 
Joseph W. Skillin 
William E. Skillin 
Francis M. Skillin 
George Smith 
Samuel W. Goodwin 
Austin Ramsdell 
Jedediah Cole 
Robert Y. French 
Frederick A. Haskell 



John 



Benjamin C. Hatch 
Nicholas G. Reed 
Wesley Osgood 
Josiah Smith 
Isaiah Smith 
Samuel Fox 
George Ireland 
Jason F. Haskell 
Bennett A. Haskell 
Daniel A. Bosworth 
Alonzo F. Batchelder 
Benjamin True 
A. Davis 



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HISTORY OF GAUI.AXD, MAINE 375 

A Brief Statement of Particuhirs of the 

Deaths of the Men Who Were Killed 

or Died in the Service of Their 

Country 

Isaiah Adams, age twenty-one, single, a private in 
Company F, 12th Maine Volunteers, was mustered into 
service November 15, 1861. At the expiration of his 
term of service he reenlisted and was mustered into 
service January 1, 1864. He was wounded at Cedar 
Creek October 19 and died the next day. 

Eugene Bragdon, eighteen yeai's of age, single, 
private in Company E, 11th Maine Volunteers, was 
mustered into service August 9, 1862. Was wounded 
August 16, 1864, and died August 27, 1864. On the 
day he received the wound that proved fatal his regi- 
ment repulsed three desperate charges of the enemy. 
His corps lost five commissioned officers, two field 
officers, three company commanders and one hundred 
and forty-four privates, only four of whom were taken 
prisoners. 

Henry J. Brown, a young man of eighteen, private 
in Company H, 15th M^e Volunteers, was mustered 
into service December 17,%lB61, as private. Was dis- 
charged April 9, 1862, on account of sickness. He 
reenlisted May 18, 1863, into Company F, 1st 
Veteran Infantry, and was killed at the Wilderness 
May 5, 1864. 

Henry A. Chamberlain, eighteen years of age, single, 
private in Company D, 20th Maine Volunteers, was 
mustered into service August 29, 1862, and was killed 
at Fredericksburg December 13, 1862. 

Jacob Quimby, Jr., age thirty-two, of Company H, 
6th Maine Volunteers, private, was mustered into service 
September 16, 1862, and was killed at Rappahannock 



876 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

Station November 7, 1862. He joined his company 
after the first of November and was killed in less than 
six days after his arrival at the front. 

John W. Bartlett, age twenty-one, single, a private 
in Company A, Sharpshooters, was mustered into 
service October 27, 1864. Was mortally wounded at 
Gravelly Run March 81, and died April 1, 1865. 

Lyman E. Richardson, age twenty-seven, 2d lieu- 
tenant. Company E, of 2d Maine Volunteers, was 
mustered into service May 28, 1861. Was wounded at 
Bull Run July 21, 1861, and died at Manassas August 
4, 1861. Mr. Richardson had been a successful teacher 
of schools in Garland and other places. About the 
time of his enlistment he married Miss Mary E. 
Burnham, an intelligent lady of Garland. Through the 
persistent and earnest efforts of the father of his wife, 
Eleazer Burnham, his body was recovered and brought 
to Garland for interment. 

Ebenezer S. Allen, private in Company D, 20th 
Maine Volunteers, age thirty-eight, single, was mustered 
into service August 29, 1862. Wagoner, Died Jan- 
uary 18, 1863. 

Chester Ballard, private in Company H, 15th Maine 
Volunteers, married, was mij^red into service February 
22, 1864. Died August 1^ 1864, and is buried in 
National Cemetery, Arlington, D. C. 

Arthur A. Berry, age twenty-six, married, private in 
Company D, 20th Maine Volunteers, mustered into 
service August 29, 1862. Reported sick near Porters- 
town, Va., November 15, 1862. Died November 19, 
1862, in Philadelphia. 

Stephen G. Berry, single, private in Company F, 12th 
Maine Volunteers, mustered into service November 15, 
1861. Died January 25, 1863, at Baton Rouge, 
Louisiana. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 377 

Isaac R. Fall, single, private in Company H, 15th 
Maine Volunteers, mustered into service December 17, 
1861. Died on Ship Island, Mississippi, June 26, 1862. 

James M. Gee, single, twenty-six years of age, private 
in Company I, 2d Maine Cavalry, mustered into service 
December 22, 1863. Died August 24, 1864, at 
Barancas, Florida. He rests in grave No. 59, National 
Cemetery. 

Wesley H. Handy, single, age twenty-two, private in 
Company F, 12th Maine Volunteers, mustered into 
service November 15, 1861. Died of disease at sea 
August 21, 1864. 

Hosea Harlow, age forty-four, married, private in 
Company I, 2d Maine Cavalry, mustered in December 
22, 1863, and died at Barancas, Florida, Oct. 5, 1864. 
Buried in National Cemetery, grave No. 76. 

Bennett A. Haskell, age eighteen, single, a private in 
Company H, 22d Maine Volunteers, mustered in Octo- 
ber, 1862. Mustered out August 14, 1863, the expi- 
ration of his term of service. Reenlisted in the 2d 
Maine Cavalry. Mustered in December 22, 1863. 
Died February 10, 1865, at Barancas, Florida. Buried 
in National Cemetery, gr^^ No. 79. 

Charles Haskell, age "ty-four, married, a farrier, 
mustered into Company I, 2d Maine Cavalry, December 
22, 1863. Died September 18, 1864, at Barancas, 
Florida. Is buried in National Cemetery, grave No. 78. 

Oliver P. Hodsdon, age thirty-six, married, private in 
Company F, First Regiment Heavy Artillery, mustered 
in November 17, 1863. On November 1, 1864, he was 
reported missing since October 27, on which day the 
regiment was at Boydton Plank Road where they cap- 
tured two hundred prisoners, two pieces of artillery and 
two stands of colors. Three commissioned officers were 
wounded, and twenty-nine men were killed, wounded 



378 HISTORY OF GAULAXD, MAINE 

and missing. Private Hodsdon died in hospital March 
1, 1865, and was buried at Annapolis, Maryland, grave 
No. 711. 

Fifield Lyford, age twenty, single, a private in Com- 
pany 11, 6th Maine Volunteers, was mustered in July 
15, 1861, and died November 8, 1861. 

James J, Murphy, age eighteen, single, a private in 
Company F, 31st Maine Volunteers, was mustered in 
March 15, 1864. He died of disease August 15, 1864, 
and was buried in the National Cemetery at Annapolis, 
Maryland, in grave No. 1063. 

Henry Ramsdell, age twenty-one, single, a private in 
Company H, 15th Maine Volunteers, was mustered in 
December 17, 1861. He died August 19, 1863, at 
Camp Parapet, defence of New Orleans. 

Giles Straw, married, age forty-three, orderly sergeant 
in Company H, 15th Maine Volunteers, mustered in 
December 17, 1861. Reduced to the ranks on account 
of sickness and consequent inability to perform the 
duties of his office for the time being. Sergeant Straw 
was a faithful and competent officer and should either 
have been discharged, or been retained in the position 
that he had previously hel(^ Instead of this he was 
reduced to the ranks, an Mt to which his sensitive 
nature revolted, and which is believed to have hastened 
his death, which occurred November 11, 1862. He 
rests in the National Cemetery at Pensacola, Florida, 
grave No. 75. 

Randall Farmer, age nineteen, single, private in 
Company H, 22d Maine Volunteers, mustered in October 
10, 1862. Died March 23, 1863. 

Thomas J. Skillin, single, age twenty, private in 
Company D, 20th Maine Volunteers, was mustered in 
August 29, 1862. He died near Porterstown, Mary- 
land, November 7, 1862. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 379 

John D. Twombly, age twenty-two, married, private 
in Company D, 20th Maine Volunteers, mustered in 
August 29, 1862. Died near Antietam Ford, Novem- 
ber, 1862. 

Leonard H. Titcomb, age twenty-one, single, private 
in Company F, 12th Maine Volunteers, mustered in 
November 15, 1861. Taken pi-isoner at Cedar Creek, 
October 19, 1864. Died in prison at Salisbury. 

John H. McComb, single, age eighteen, private in 
Company G, District of Columbia Cavalry. Taken 
prisoner June 20, 1864, and died in Andersonville prison. 

Alexander McComb died while in service in a New 
York regiment. 

Cyrus S. Grover, age twenty, single, private in Com- 
pany K, loth Maine Volunteers, mustered in October 
10, 1864. Died of disease October 16, 1865. 

Elijah Hall, age twenty, single, private in Company 
K, 15th Maine Volunteers. Mustered in October 10, 
1864, and died near Harper's Ferry before reaching the 
regiment. 

Calvin R. Osgood, age twenty-seven, single, private 
in Company H, 6th Maine Volunteers, mustered in July 
15, 1861. Was discharged for sickness September 25, 
1862, and died soon after* He was brought home for 
burial. 

Francis M. Dearborn, age eighteen, single, private in 
Company K, 4th Maine Volunteers, mustered in Novem- 
ber 9, 1861. Was discharged February 4, 1862, and 
died soon after. 

Alfred R. Straw, age twenty-eight, single, sergeant in 
Company F, 22d Maine Volunteers, mustered in 
November 15, 1861. Was promoted to the first lieu- 
tenancy of same company and regiment. Was dis- 
charged for disability and death soon followed. 

George E. Atkins, age twenty-one, single, private in 



380 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

Company D, 20th Maine Volunteers, mustered in August 
29, 1862. Died February 1, 1863. 

Granville W. Fogg was second master's mate on ship 
Mercidita. He died on the passage from New Orleans 
to Port Royal and was buried at the latter place. He 
was afterwards brought to Garland and laid to rest in 
the family burying ground on May 15, 1865. 

These men died for their country, and "there is no 
nobler death than to die for one's country." 

The particulars relating to the military services of 
the men who represented Garland in the war of the 
rebellion which have been briefly given, were gleaned 
from many sources by Benjamin True, Esq., a prominent 
member of the G. A. R. of Garland. This work has 
involved much time and labor and Mr. True is entitled 
to great credit for having collected and put them on 
record, Man}^ a citizen of the United States is today 
searching ancesti*al records with eager eye, if perchance 
he may find that his ancestral line extending through 
the years, will reach some soldier of the Revolution 
which will make him eligible to membership in an asso- 
ciation of the Sons of the Revolution. History will 
repeat itself. In coming years citizens of the Republic 
will be searching records to mid whether they may enjoy 
the distinction of descent from the valiant men who 
fought to save the best government in the world from 
annihilation. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 381 

The number of men furnished to fill the different 

quotas of Garland including enlistments, reenlistments 
and substitutes: 

Men who entered the service by voluntary enlist- 
ment, 129 
Men who were represented by substitutes, 19 
Men who reenlisted, 25 



Whole number furnished by Garland, 173 

The male population at that time was seven hundred 
and eighty-five, thus it appears that considerable more 
than one fifth of its male population was found in its 
quotas at different times. 



Cost of the War to the Town of Garland 

The first act of the town, after having filled its first 
quota, was to provide for the families of the men who 
had entered the military service. A committee was 
appointed which was charged with the duty of visiting 
these families as often as necessary to ascertain the needs 
of each and report to the selectmen, who were instructed 
to extend the necessary aid. The amount paid under 
these instructions during the war was five thousand and 
seventy-nine dollars and ninety cents. 



Bounties 

In 1862 the town paid thi'ee years men, S 795.00 

In 1862 the town paid nine months men, 1,900.00 

In 1863 the town paid to volunteers, 3,400.00 



382 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

In 1864-5 the town paid to volunteers, $10,125.00 

In 1864-5 the town paid to drafted men, 200.00 

In 1864-5 the town paid to substitutes, 1,600.00 

Aid to families, 5,079.90 

Women's aid to hospitals, 975.00 



Total, $24,984.90 



Woman in the War of the Rebellion 

Any history of the War of the Rebellion that fails 
to recognize the patriotic devotion of the women of the 
northern states is incomplete. From its opening to its 
close their busy brains and never tiring hands were devis- 
ing and executing plans for the encouragement of the 
men in active service at the front, or languishing in 
hospitals, and while they could not know that any 
article of the interminable list designed for the comfort 
of the brave men would ever reach father, brother, son 
or friend of theirs it was enough for them to know that 
it would reach and cheer soldiers fighting at the front or 
disabled in hospitals. But their supreme gifts were 
fathers, brothers, husbands and sons who might never 
return to bless their homes with the cheer of their 
presence. 

The women of Garland entered promptly upon the 
work of preparing and sending to the front such 
supplies as were needed by sick and disabled men in 
hospitals. At an early date a strawberry festival was 
held by the ladies of the town, the avails of which were 
to be expended for hospital use at the front. 

The people entered upon the work of preparation with 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 383 

enthusiasm. The hall in which they assembled was 
decorated with flowers and the tables were loaded with 
food of a variety to tempt every type of appetite. The 
money realized from the festival was one hundred 
dollars, which was invested in flannels that were made 
into garments ready for use. They also knit many 
dozen pairs of stockings and made comfort bags, filling 
them with a great variety of articles needed in hospitals, 
never forgetting to send a word of cheer for the sick 
soldier. 

The usefulness of one specialty of a very simple 
character was often complimented. An elderly lady, 
Mrs. Josiah Merriam, suggested the making of noiseless 
fans for use in hospitals. These fans were made of 
feathers thus freeing the patient from the annoyance of 
the rustling incident to the use of other fans. The 
work so auspiciously begun at the opening of the war 
was carried on with unflagging enthusiasm to its close. 

The hospital supplies contributed by the women of 
Garland were appraised at cash value and were dis- 
tributed as follows : 

To the United States Sanitary Commission, $200 

To the Christian Commission, 50 

To the soldiers in Maine camp, 75 

To the general hospitals in loyal states, 100 

To the regimental hospitals and incidentals, 250 

To New York, Philadelphia and Boston hospi- 
tals, 300 



Total, $975 

President Lincoln is reported to have said in a speech 
on a public occasion, "I am not accustomed to use the 
language of eulogy. I have never studied the art of 
paying compliments to women, but I must say that if 



384 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 



all that has been said by orators and poets since the 
creation of the world in praise of women was applied to 
the women of America, it would not do them justice for 
their conduct during this war. I will close by saying, 
God Bless the Women of America!" 



An Incident Connected With Filling One of 

the Quotas Assigned to the Town of 

Garland 



The required number of men to fill the quota was 
ready to enlist if the bounty offered by the government 
to each man could be increased by the sum of one hun- 
dred dollars. Of wealthy men, the town had none. 
But twenty of its citizens promptly pledged one hun- 
dred dollars each, and six others fifty dollars each to 
avoid a draft, an aggregate of two thousand, three 
hundred dollars, but a subsequent act of the government 
relieved those patriotic citizens of the burden they 
had voluntarily offered to assume. The subscribers to 



this fund were: 








Lyndon Oak, 


$100 


Geo. R. Coffin, 


$100 


A. M. Haskell, 


100 


Noah Swett, 


100 


True W. Dore, 


100 


Joseph True, 


100 


H. W. Johnson, 


100 


Geo. A. Brann, 


100 


Edson L. Oak, 


100 


Israel A. Palmer, 


100 


D. M. HaskeU, 


100 


Elijah Crane, 


100 


Joseph Garland, 


100 


Wm. S. Haskell, 


100 


T. P. Irish, 


100 


Wm. Oliver, 


50 


Luther Rideout, 


100 


Joseph M. Gerry, 


50 


S. S. Clark, 


100 


Artemas Merriam, 


50 


E. Skinner, 


100 


P. B. Thayer, 


50 


Daniel Silver, 


100 


J. I. D. Sanford, 


50 


Samuel Skillin, 


100 


Eben S. French, 


50 



A Tribute 

My acquaintance with Hon. Lyndon Oak, of Gar- 
land, Maine, was of a quarter of a century's duration, 
and my friendship for him, strengthened by a constantly 
increased admiration of his noble traits of character, 
covers the same period. 

It gives me, therefore, very great satisfaction to put 
on record my estimate of the man, especially in the rela- 
tions in which I have principally known him. Others 
can more easily write of him as a citizen, as a man of 
affairs, as a friend and companion in the domestic circle 
and in his own immediate neighborhood, and as a 
wise adviser in the counsels of the town, the county, 
and the State. 

My own association with him was in connection with 
the Maine State College of which he was a trustee for 
more than twenty years, and of whose governing board 
he was for several years president. 

In the early history of the college, the occasions for 
meetings of the board of trustees were frequent, and 
even under ordinary conditions, three meetings a year 
were usually the minimum number. It is not in my 
remembrance that Mr. Oak ever missed attendance upon 
a meeting while connected with the board. This state- 
ment, at first, may seem of slight consequence, but 
when we reflect that a meeting of the board of trus- 
tees, besides involving much anxious thought and careful 
deliberation, meant for him, usually, a carriage drive of 



386 HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 

not less than forty miles, with loss of time for two or 
three days from his own private business, and all this 
without compensation, we are prepared to recognize an 
admirable but truly characteristic trait of the man, 
namely, unflinching fidelity to duty. 

This fidelity, together with a gentle forbearance and a 
patient persistence, which was also characteristic, served 
the college in many an exigency in which more flashy 
qualities would have failed, 

His services were especially valuable in connection 
with legislative matters. The soundness of his judg- 
ment was above question, and the confidence reposed in 
him wherever known rendered his recommendations of 
great weight before legislative committees — a fact 
always duly apparent and appreciated in the final votes. 
It was, however, as a kind, thoughtful and sagacious 
counsellor in the general affairs of the college that his 
services were the most valuable. I am sure I do no 
injustice to his worthy associates in the board, in saying 
that in all critical periods of the college history, his 
services were simply invaluable. 

As acting president of the college during the first 
three years of its existence, and subsequently as presi- 
dent during the last ten years of Mr. Oak's member- 
ship of the board of control, I received from him many 
letters pertaining to matters of vital importance to the 
institution, not a few of which were necessarily of a 
confidential nature. A few months ago I had occasion 
to re-read a large proportion of these letters, which, to 
that time had been preserved. I can say in regard to 
them just what all who knew him would expect, that 
there was not a line in them all which was not alike 
creditable to his head and to his heart. Even if the 
topic were of a nature to discourage or to exasperate, 
there was no evidence of discouragement or of undue 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 387 

mental excitement, but always of a clear and cool judg- 
ment and of a hopeful and confident spirit. In them 
all, the motive was definite and clear to consult the true 
interests of the institution and of the State, and to 
secure only the result which was just and right. 

His retirement from the board I have regarded a mis- 
fortune to the college. It came about after three 
appointments for the period of seven years each, in 
virtue of what seems to me an unwise statute limitation 
of age, which makes ineligible for appointment as trustee 
of the State college a man who has passed his seventieth 
birthday. The loss to the college by his retirement, 
was the gain to another State institution to whose 
governing board he was immediately appointed by the 
Governor of the State. Ripe in experience, with 
faculties unimpaired, he rendered the State under this 
new appointment a large measure of useful service. 

From a somewhat close association with him, for more 
than two decades, in mutual efforts in behalf of the 
Maine State College, I am certain that no one can over- 
estimate the sterling qualities which he possessed and 
which endeared him to a constantly widened circle of 
devoted friends, and made his name a synonym for 
honesty, truthfulness and loyalty to the right. The 
remembrance of this association is to me a fragrant 
memory, inasmuch as it serves to enlarge my conception 
of the dignity of human nature, and to lead to the con- 
viction that there are men whom we can easily conceive 
to have been made in the image of God. 

Meeritt C. Fernald. 



INDEX 



Abbot, town. 236. 

Sylvester, 297. 

Act of Incorporation, 114. 115, 207. 
Adams, The, ship of war, 154, 158. 

Alphonzo, 232, 233, 236, 240. 

George W., 120. 

Isaiah, 375. 

John, 216. 

John Quincy, 222. 
iEsculapius, 85. 
Allen, David, 28, 190, 196, 220. 

Ebenezer S., 376. 

Elisha H., 272, 278. 

Hon. Elisha H., of Bangor, 287. 
Amazeen, Henry, 239. 
America, 116, 117, 245. 
Ames, Daniel, 204. 

Elder Moses, 352. 

Moses, 290. 
Amestown (Sangerville), 86. 
Anderson, Hugh J., 278, 284, 285. 
Andrews, Rev. A. P., 200. 
Annals of Bangor, 170, 214, 217, 220, 

231. 
Appleton, James, 276, 278, 284. 
Aroostook, County of, 9. 
Arnold, George, 82, 130. 
Athens, Maine, 51, 88, 90, 185. 
Atkins, Bradbury G., 28, 35, 52. 

George E., 379. 
Atkinson, 15. 
Atlantic Ocean, 66. 
Augusta, Maine, 105. 
Avenue Road, 242, 273, 276, 336. 
Avery, Isaiah, 292. 

Jeremiah, 202. 

Mr., 200. 



B 



Bacon, place, 31. 
Badger, Philip E., 190. 
Bailey, Moody, 256; draft of Aroos- 
took War, 264. 
Ballard, Chester, 376. 
Ephraim, 7, 9, 10, 15. 



Bangor, market for products of flax 
plant, 92, 144; county road from 
Bangor, 101, 237; post office, 123; 
attack on Bangor, 158; half shire 
town, 167; shire town, 168; military 
gathering, 182; route of mail car- 
riers, 185; election in 1823, 207; im- 
portant road from Bangor, 242; 
artillery company, 263. 
Steamer, 235. 
House, 263. 
Jefferson, 241. 
Theological Seminary, 343. 
Baptist church, 344. 
Barker, David, 359. 
Enoch M., M. D., 229, 231. 
Lewis, 359. 
Noah. 305, 359. 
Barstow, D., 245. 

Bartlett, place, 130. 

Mr., 185. 

John, collector in 1847, 288. 

John W., 376. 

Joseph, 241, 255; draft of Aroostook 
War, 264; superintending school 
committee in 1841, 273; candidate 
for register of probate in 18G0, 312. 

Josiah (known as Elder), 19; father 
of Obed of Boston, Mass., 26; barn 
burned, 73; petitioner for incorpo- 
ration, 119; highway surveyor in 
1811, 127; school agent in 1811, 134; 
selectman and assessor in 1812, 
135; in 1816, 166; in 1819, 186; in 
1820, 193; moderator in 1813, 151; in 
1814, 153; in 1817, 177; member of 
Free Will Baptist church, 238; can- 
didate for representative to Leg- 
islature in 1841, 274; received ordi- 
nance of baptism, 351. 

Mrs. Josiah, 97. 

Nehemiah 1st, 270. 

Nehemiah, town clerk in 1838, 254, 
260; selectman and assessor in 
1842, 275; treasurer in 1843. 277; 
State senator in 1849, 296; in 1850, 
298; moderator in 1848, 291. 

Obed, 26. 

R., 227. 

Hon. Reuben, 109; post master, 185; 
on committee to select land for 
cemetery, 195; family, 196; town 
clerk in 1821, 197; in 1822, 201; 
in 1824, 209; in 1825, 211; in 1826, 
215; in 1828, 221; selectman and as- 
sessor in 1823, 206; in 1827, 219; in 
1829, 223; in 1830, 226; in 1831, 229; 



390 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 



in 1833, 232; in 1834, 233; grist mill 
property, 230, 271; treasurer in 
1835, 236; member of Universalist 
church, 239; death, 241. 

Sally, Mrs., 351. 

Zenas, draft of Aroostook war, 264. 

Barton, A. L., 88. 
Artemas, 42, 83. 

Asa, 261; superintending- school com- 
mittee in 1838, 254; in 1839, 260; in 
1840, 271; in 1841, 273; selectman 
and assessor in 1843, 277. 

Batchelder Hill, Dexter, 41. 
Horace, draft of Aroostook war, 264. 
John, draft of Aroostook War, 264; 

selectman and assessor in 1855, 

304; chosen deacon, 353. 
John H., 225. 239. 
Opening, 43. 
Phineas, 225. 

Bates, James, 227. 

John, 227. 
Battles, Eben, 225, 240. 
Beauchamp, John, 13. 
Beecher, Rev. Dr. Lyman, father of 
Henry Ward and Harriet Beecher 
Stowe, 325. 
Belfast, Maine, 116, 117, 118. 
Belgiade, Maine, 96, 97. 
Bennett, Captain, 34. 
Berkshire, county of, 9. 
Berry, Arthur A., 376. 

Calvin P., superintending school 
committee in 1864, 316. 

Family. 174. 

Ira, 174. 
Berry, Stephen A., 173, 174. 

Stephen G., 376. 
Berwick, Maine, 52, 80. 
Besse, Haskell, 225. 

Mr., 72. 

Place, 72. 
Bessey, Seth, 42. 
Blaine, Hon. James G., 113. 
Blaisdell, Dr. John, 53. 

William, 119, 128, 133, 137, 151, 156, 
200. 
Blaisdelltown (Exeter), 39, 53, 80. 
Blake, Gen., 154, 155; brigade, 161. 

Samuel H., 304, 312. 
Blood, Mighill, 339. 
Boarstone mountain, 16. 
Bond, Abner, 99. 

Abraham, 120. 

Abram, 137. 
Boscawen, N. H., 28, 208. 
Boston, 96, 118; route between Bangor 
and Boston, 235. 

England, 13. 

Boutelle, Hon. Charles A., 113. 
Bowerbank, Maine, 117. 
Boynton, Gorham L., 315. 

Bradbury, B., 316. 
Bion, 315. 
Lewis, 94, 95. 



Bradbury, Mr., 94. 

Mrs., 94. 
Bradford, 15. 
Bradley, Levi, 272. 

Zebulon, 260. 
Bragdon, Eugene, 375. 
Brann, George A., 181. 
Brawn, Peter, 39. 
Brockway, Mr., 86. 
Brewer, 107, 110, 245. 
Bridge, Samuel, draft of Aroostook 

War, 264. 
Bridgham, Joseph, 232. 
British, 155, 157, 159. 
Bronson, David, 287, 290. 
Brooks, Gov., 183, 189. 

Hon. John, 167, 179, 181, 187. 
Brown, Charles H., 28. 35, 52, 140. 200. 

Eben E., 320. 

Henry J., 375. 
Bruce, Walter, quotation, 144. 
Bryant, young man of that name, 293. 

Rev. G. S., 357. 
Buck, Alfred E., 113. 
Bucksport, Maine, 30. 
Burleigh, Dr. Gilman, 185. 
Burnham, Asa. 100. 

Rev. Asa, 350. 

Cemetery. 223. 

Eleazer, selectman and assessor in 
1853. 301. 

Mark, 256; draft of Aroostook war, 
264. 

Noah, 256. 
Burton, David, 239. 

Mrs., 196, 199. 

House, 203. 
Buswell, Moses, 187, 188, 194, 199, 219, 
240. 

Samuel P., 240. 

William. 225. 
Batman, Samuel, 219, 222. 
Butters, Charles, 284. 

Simeon, 292, 298. 
Buzzell, Moses, 166. 



Calef farm, 172. 
California, 94, 95, 259. 
Calvinist Baptists, 240. 
Came, Stephen R., 350. 
Campbell, Calvin, 25, 131. 

Colin, 184, 185. 

Hon. James, 139. 

John, 153. 

Mr., 60. 

Place, 60. 
Canaan, 185. 
Canada, 169. 
Canadian line, 242. 
Carmel, 185. 



INDEX 



391 



Carpenter, Rev. E. G., 349. 
Carr, Charles, 82. 130. 
Hon. Jamea, 118, 139. 
J., 245. 
Caruthers, Rev. James, 345. 
Case, Isaac, 197. 
Casey, Henry, candidate for register 

of probate, 312, 
Castine, 157, 167. 
Cay ford. Mr., 339. 
Center schoolhouse, 165, 166, 168, 177, 

178. 
Chamberlain, Henry A., 375. 
Joshua L., 319, 320, 321, 322. 
Chandler, Anson G., 301. 
Chandler's barn, 103, 104. 
Charles P., 96, 208, 243. 
E. Augustus, 318. 
Family (John), 66, 69. 74, 79. 
James J., 64, 88, 193, 233, 239, 242, 
261: collector in 1836, 246; in 1848, 
291; in 1849, 296; in 1850, 297; in 
1852, 300; in 1857, 308; in 1858, 309; 
in 1860, 311; in 1861, 313; selectman 
and assessor in 1862, 314, 360. 
John, 64, 69, 72; built a barn, 102; 
petitioner for incorporation, 120; 
highway surveyor in 1811, 127; tith- 
ing man, 163; collector in 1819, 187; 
on committee to select land for 
cemetery, 195; member of Univer- 
salist church, 240. 
Mrs. John, 69, 70, 71. 
Opening, 102. 
Chapman, Winthrop, 201, 212, 216, 222, 
224, 227, 229; candidate for repre- 
sentative to legislature in 1859, 311. 
Charleston, 5, 212. 
Chase, Daniel, 249. 
John M., 28, 35, 52, 62, 137. 
Joseph, 313. 
Miriam, 62. 
Mrs., 73. 
Peter, 29, 57, 73. 
Polly, 62. 
Chelsea, Massachusetts, 118. 
Christian Commission, 383. 
Church, Mr., 108, 109, 196. 241. 

William, 137, 163. 191. 
Church's Mills, 138, 179. 
Clark, George S., town clerk, 316; in 
1865, 317; in 1866. 318; in 1867, 319; 
in 1868, 320; in 1869, 322. 
Plynn. 190. 
Samuel S., 288. 
Clay. Henry, 231. 
Cleveland, President, 113. 
Clinton, Me., 108. 

Clough, Enoch, 77, 82, 120, 137, 239. 
Coburn, Abner, 315. 

Stephen, 313. 
Coffin, George R., 202. 
Colley, Israel. 225. 239. 
Committee for sale of eastern lands, 6; 
for selecting and purchasing site 
for town house, 289. 



Commonwealth of Maine, 194; of Mass- 
achusetts, 121, 124. 136, 138, 189, 
193, 195, 198, 226. 

Congregational church, 95, 106, 130, 
202, 210, 239, 243, 277, 345; of Gar- 
land, 107; clerks of. 350; deacons of, 
350; meeting house, 41, 271; Meet- 
ing House Company of Garland, 
243, 245, 346; parish, 243, 245. 

Congress, 139, 189, 206, 218, 227. 232, 
234. 

Constitution of Maine. 197. 

Cony. Samuel, 316, 317, 318. 

Cook, Rev. Joseph, 354. 

Coolidge, Cornelius, 74, 195, 197, 207, 
210, 212, 224. 
Place, 74. 

Copeland, Isaac, 106, 137, 153, 156. 

Corinna, 16, 42. 

Corinth, Maine, 5, 55; county road, 
178; mail route through, 186. 

Cornville, Maine, 37, 92, 185. 

Council Chamber, 122. 

County Commissioner, candidate for, 
in 1853, 802. 

Court of Common Pleas, 220. 

Cox, Abraham J., 208, 215. 

Cram and Dutton, 245. 

Cram farm, 172. 

Crane, Elijah, 323. 

Crosby, S. S., 245. 
William G., 297, 301, 302. 
Hon. William. 139. 

Crowell, David, 190. 
Lewis, 1.52. 

Crowningshield, Hon, Benjamin, 181, 
187. 

Currier, Caleb, 58. 59. 

Curtis. George, 225, 227, 239, 296. 
Jeremiah, 287, 290, 292. 
Loren, 203. 

Gushing, Jefferson, 234. 

Cushman, G. G.. 262. 

Cutler, John, 276. 



D 

Dana, John W., 287, 290, 292. 314. 
Danville, Maine, 28, 35, 52. 
Davee, Thomas, Democrat candidate 
for representative to Congress in 
1838, 255. 
Davis, 99. 
A., 245. 

Horace, place, 130. 
John, 225. 
Josiah, 357. 
Robert P., draft of Aroostook war, 

264. 
Samuel O., 28. 31. 57. 
Dearborn, David, 29, 31, 33, 84, 87, 110, 
190. 
Hon. Henry, 179. 
Place, 74. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 



Dearborn, Francis M., 379. 
Thomas, selectman and assessor in 

1864, 316; in 18fi5, 317. 
Mrs. Thomas, 293. 

Declaration of Independence, 216. 

Deerfield, New Hampshire, 1%, 203. 

Dexter, 5; saw mill, 35, 140; first 
prayer meeting, 93; Masonic lodge, 
205; county road, 233; important 
road leading through Dexter, 242. 
Hon. Samuel, 167. 
William, 153. 

Dingley, Hon. Nelson, 113. 

Dinsmore, James, 227, 240. 

Dixmont, 14, 15, 106, 219. 
Hills. 16. 

Doble, William, 225. 

Dockham, Stephen B., 256; draft of 
Aroostook War, 264. 

Dore, Elder T. W., 353. 

Dover, 15, 53, 90, 94, 214, 233. 

Dover line, 233. 

Downing, Lamont, 294. 

Drake, Rev. S. S., superintending 
school committee in 1839, 260; in 
1844, 283; became acting pastor of 
parish in 1837, 349. 
Rev. Samuel S., pastor of Congre- 
gational church, 271; on superin- 
tending school committee in 1841, 
273; in 1842, 275; in 1843, 277. 

"Drive," A, 148. 

Dunham, Mr., 208. 

Dunlap, Robert P., 232, 233, 234; Dem- 
ocrat candidate for governor, 247. 

Dustin, William, 82, 97, 120, 137, 190. 



E 

Eastman, Harmon. 318. 
Eastport, 161. 
Eddy, Mr., 184, 185. 

William, 219. 
Ela, Mr., 174. 
Elkins place, 38, 39. 

John, 53. 

Mr., 38. 

Samuel. 37, 53. 
Elkinstown, now Dexter, 35, 53, 68, 74, 

81, 91, 102, 106, 190. 
Embargo Act, 191. 

Emerson, Micah C, 83; draft of Aroos- 
took War, 264. 

M. C, 250. 

Nathaniel, 83, 239. 

Place, 130, 200- 

William, 177, 205, 206, 222. 
Emery, Daniel, 222. 
England, 13, 116, 118, 154. 
English literature, 79. 
Epping, New Hampshire, 73. 
Etna, 185. 
Europe, 169. 



Evans, Benjamin, 276. 
David, superintending school com- 
mittee in 1863, 315; in 1864, 316; in 
1865, 317; in 1868, 320. 

Exeter, 5, 100; meeting on return 
march of Garland company with 
citizens of Exeter, 160; route of 
mail carrier, 185; important road 
through Exeter, 242; Exeter line, 
61, 131, 153; Exeter Mills, 186; Exe- 
ter Corner, 186. 



Fairfield, John, Democrat candidate 
for Governor in 1838, 255; in 1839, 
260; in 1841, 274; in 1842, 276; Gov- 
ernor of Maine, 262. 
William, M. D., 221, 225. 
Fall, Isaac, 245; lieutenant, 256. 

Isaac R., 377. 
Farewell, Elder Joseph, 351. 
Farmer, Randall, 378. 
Farnham, William, 34. 
Fernald, Merritt C, 387. 
Fessenden, Samuel, 286, 287, 290, 292. 
Field, Ansel, 202, 209, 211, 215, 225, 239; 

united with church, 341. 
Fifield, Daniel E., draft of Aroostook 
war, 264. 
E., 134. 

Edward, 58, 62; first beginning in 
southwest part of the township, 
74; builds a bam, 103; petitioner 
for incorporation, 119; constable in 
1811, 127; moderator in 1811, 129; 
school agent in 1811, 134; saw and 
grist mill, 152; superintending 
school committee in 1818, 180; mem- 
ber of Universalist church, 240. 
Family, 74. 

John, Democrat candidate for Gov- 
ernor in 1840, 272, 
John M., 197. 
Martha, 96. 

Mrs. Polly, wife of Edward, 105. 
Nathaniel, 119, 137. 
Thomas, 256. 

Thomas B., draft of Aroostook War, 
264. 
Fifth Range, 118, 119, 121. 
Finson, Thomas, 29, 57. 
Fish, Ira, 234. 
Fisher, Jonathan. 339. 

Paul M., 211. 
Fisk, J. B.. 245. 
Flanders apple, 34. 

Flanders, Cutteon., brother of Jere- 
miah, 106, 120, iL, 137, 163, 239. 
Flanders, Enos, 33. 
Jeremiah, 58, 64; married, 101; peti- 
tioner for incorporation, 119; mem- 
ber of Masonic lodge, 205; select- 
man and assessor in 1828, 221; in 
1830, 226; collector in 1829, 223; 
member of Universalist church, 
239. 



INDEX 



393 



Flanders, Mr., 34. 

Mrs. Jeremiah, 101 

Zenas. 227, 239. 
Fogg, David, 199, 203, 239. 

Dr. Seth, 203, 211. 225. 

Dudley L., 119, 120. 

Family, 203. 

Granville W., 380. 

John S., 239. 
Foss Farm, 224. 

Mr., 185. 

William B.. 57. 96, 126, 199, 228. 
Foster, S. J., 245. 
Fourth Range, 119, 121. 
Foxcroft, Maine, 94. 96, 152, 243. 
Frankfort, 59. 

Free and Accepted Masons, 205. 
Free Baptist church, 96, 126, 277, 344; 

meeting house, 57. 
Freeholders, 124, 125. 
Free Will Baptist denomination, 100, 

226, 238. 
French, Dr., 185. 

Eben, 161. 

Eugene, house, 109, 

Mrs. Seba, 93. 

Seba (Judge French), 91, 93, 103, 104, 
195, 238. 

Simon, 77, 137, 161. 

William, 270. 
Friend, Hollis, 185. 
Frye, Simon, 8. 

William P., 113. 
Fuller, Hon. Melville W., 113. 



G 

Gardner, John, 320. 
Garland, 5; number three in fifth 
range, 15, 24; early settlement, 35; 
third town to organize Congrega- 
tional church, 107; name of pros- 
pective town, 115; first town clerk, 
122; voters, 137; Garland's grateful 
remembrance to business men of 
Bangor, 176; loss by Ohio fever, 
182; construction and repairing of 
roads, 187; town voted to appro- 
priate ministerial lands to use of 
primary schools, 231: artillery com- 
pany, 263. 

Benjamin, 57, 270. 

Family (Joseph), 52, 66, 82, 91. 

High school, 293. 

Jacob, 120, 135, 137, 151, 153. 

James, 29, 82. 

Joseph, 19, 26; first family, 30; fruit 
nursery, 33; f 'st winter, 49, 59, 69; 
home, 85; sc> ol in his barn, 87, 91, 
109; naming of town, 115: petition- 
er for incorporation, 119; school 
agent in 1811, 134; superintending 
school committee in 1813, 151, 200. 

Kilby, 50. 

Minerva, 50. 

Mrs. Joseph, 31, 32. 50, 51, 62, 91. 

Orenda, 50. 

Timothy, 50. 



Zerulah, 62. 
Garvin, Jeremiah, 292. 
Gee, James M., 377. 

Phineas, emigrated from England, 
254. 

Solomon, emigrated from England, 
254. 
General Court of Massachusetts, 114, 

118, 120, 121. 
Gerrish, Rev. A. L., 357. 
Gerry. E., 122, 123. 

Hon. Elbridge. 138. 

Joseph M., place, 120; selectman and 

assessor in 1866, 318; in 1867, 319. 
Giddings, Joshua R., 286. 
Gilmantown, New Hampshire, 88. 
Gilpatrick, Benjamin. 52, 119, 128, 162, 
166, 177, 180. 

Benjamin, Jr., 137, 153. 

Thomas, 29, 119. 127, 133, 134, 137, 166. 

Thomas, Jr.. 119, 137, 177. 
Glenburn, 18. 178, 185, 242. 
Godfrey, Judge, 231. 

Judge John E., 170, 214, 217, 220. 277. 
Godwin, Hiram F., draft of Aroos- 
took War, 264. 

James, 137. 

William, 52, 57, 77, 79, 96, 120, 127, 
137, 172, 184, 188, 198, 205, 211, 216, 
219, 228, 237, 239, 244. 
Goodenow, Daniel, 229, 231, 232. 
Gordon, Amos. 57, 61, 66, 81, 105, 120, 
124, 135,152, 162, 188, 195, 211. 240. 
270. 

Amos G., 240. 

Albert G., 20. 57, 82, 106, 172. 

Betsey, 64. 

Family, 66, 68, 74, 79. 

George W., 240. 

H. Lester, 152. 

Horace, 20. 99, 152. 

Horace H., 57. 

James P., 57. 

John E., 120, 137. 

Miriam, 64. 

Moses, 20, 34, 49, 58, 64, 66, 81, 119, 
128, 137, 157, 162, 166, 171, 223, 239, 
242, 246. 

Moses G., superintending school 
committee in 1846. 285; in 1846, 287; 
in 1850, 297. 

Mrs. Moses, 67, 68. 

Nancy, 64, 79, 87, 96. 

Parker, 20, 106. 

Polly, 64. 
Goulding, Lewis, 216, 225, 239, 243. 

Louis, 347. 
Gove, David A., 15, 25, 52, 77, 219. 
Governor, 138, 153. 
Grant, Agnes, 95. 

Family, 77. 108. 

John, 52, 59, 61, 80, 81. 137, 139. 190. 

Grant, Landeras, 60, 61, 75. 137. 

Gray, William, 153. 

Great Britain, 138. 
Greeley cemetery, 110, 228. 

Charles, 131, 172. 

David M., 225. 

Jacob, 200, 233, 239. 

James, 29; collector in 1839, 260. 



394 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 



Greeley, Philip, 82, 97, 128, 187. 166, 
177. 180, 183, 186. 193, 197, 201, 209. 
228. 237. 
Samuel, 29, 200. 225, 239. 

Greene, Lawrence, 185, 186. 

Greenleaf, Ebenezer, 162, 163. 166. 

Greley, Philip. 119. 

Griffin, Andrew, 84, 102, 190. 

Grinnell, Albert. 77, 317. 

Grout, Elias, 11. 

Grover, Cyrus S.. 379. 

Gubernatorial election, 278. 

Guilford, 34, 195, 214, 236, 242. 

H 

Hale, Rev. Enselius, 349. 

Hon. Eugene, 113. 
Hall, Elijah, 379. 
Hallowell, Abner R., 305. 
Hamans, Benj.. 122. 
Hamilton, John, 225, 239. 
John E., 83. 
Samuel A., 264. 
Hamlin, Elijah, 292. 
Elijah L., 296. 

Hannibal, Democrat candidate for 
representative to Congress in 1840, 
272; in 1843, 278; in 1844, 284; op- 
ponent of slavery, 298; United 
States Senator in 1856, 306. 
Hampden, 14, 15, 154, 158, 159, 182, 183, 
185. 
Corner, 185. 
Upper Corner, 185. 
Hancock. County of, 7, 9, 10, 118, 121. 

124, 163, 167. 
Handy, Wesley H., 377. 
Hanson, A., 31. 
Harlow, Hosea, 377. 
Harmony, 19, 65, 185, 214. 
Harriman cabin (place), 71, 120. 
family (Justus), 66. 
Justus, 29, 52, 62, 69, 70, 81, 119, 128, 

137, 239. 
Justus H., 133. 
Manoah, 62, 137. 
Miriam, 62. 
Harrison, William H., 247, 273. 
Hartland, 185. 
Harvey, David, 248. 

Sir John, 268. 
Harwood, Rev. T. W., 350. 
Hasey, Mr., 60. 

Haskell, A. M., lieutenant, 256; select- 
man and assessor in 1855, 304; in 
1863, 315; in 1864, 316; in 1865, 317; 
in 1866, 318; in 1867, 319; in 1868, 
320; in 1869, 322. 
Andrew M., draft of Aroostook war, 
264, 290; selectman and assessor in 
1849, 295; in 1851, 300; in 1863. 301; 
moderator in 1850, 297. 
Bennett A., 377. 



Haskell, Bildad A., 236. 239, 242. 

Charles, 264, 377. 

Daniel M., 99, 105, 226, 229, 231,236,239, 
243; selectman in 1836, 246, 261, 360; 
member of superintending school 
committee in 1837, 248; in 1838, 254; 
in 1848, 291; in 1851, 300; in 1842. 
264. 276; selectman and assessor in 
1840, 271; in 1841, 273; in 1843. 277; 
in 1844. 283; in 1845, 285; in 1846. 
287; in 1847, 288; in 1849, 295; in 
1850. 297, 286, candidate for rep- 
resentative to legislature, 315. 

Deacon, 339. 

Deacon John S., 20, 26. 83, 37, 45, 49, 
341. 

Gideon, 40, 45. 46. 49. 

Isaac, clerk in 1856, 305. 

Isaac W., 359. 

Jacob W., 20, 285; collector in 1853, 
302; in 1854, 303; in 1855, 304; se- 
lectman and assessor in 1866, 318; 
in 1867, 319; in 1868, 320; in 1869, 
322. 

John K., 20; selectman and assessor 
in 1852, 300; in 1854, 303. 

John S., 39, 40, 54, 55. 56. 96, 97, 104, 
106, 115, 119, 128, 137. 163, 188, 199, 
239. 

Mrs. Johns.. 33. 

William, 264. 

William F., town clerk in 1852, 300; 
in 1854, 303; in 1855, 304. 

William S., 161; selectman and as- 
sessor in 1856, 305. 

Wm. S., 20; selectman and assessor 
in 1855, 304. 

Haskins, R. & R. & Co., 245. 
Hastings, Seth, 10, 11, 12, 13. 
Hatch, Amasa, Jr., 305. 
Hathaway, Leonard, 109, 190, 352, 356, 
359. 

Hayden. John S., 83, 106. 
Mr., 184. 

Hayes, Loring D.. 296, 298. 
Mr. John, 74, 75, 96, 119, 127, 136, 137, 
202, 240. 

Hayman, Edw., 8. 

Herrick, Nathan, 222. 

Herring, Deacon, 34. 
Nathaniel, 34. 

Hersey, Abner R., 307. 

William R., 305, 307. 

Higgins, Amos, 225, 238. 

Hill. Aaron, 99, 225, 239, 270; selectman 

in 1848, 291. 
Edward, 245. 348. 
Edwin, collector in 1859, 310; in 1862. 

314; selectman and assessor in 1863, 

315. 
Ehner, 199. 
Francis, 314, 316, 323. 
F. W., 305. 
John B., Esq., 238. 
Thomas A., 234. 

Hinsley, Hon. Martin, 168. 

History of Piscataquis County, 213. 

Hobbie, Mrs. Octavia. 208. 



INDEX 



395 



Hodson, Captain Isaac, 156. 

Colonel Isaac, 183. 

Isaac, 13, 156, 183. 

John L., 284, 288, 298. 

Major General, 263, 267. 

Major Moses, 60. 

Moses, 15, 27, 37, 39, 52, 55, 159, 185. 

Oliver P., 377. 
Holbrook, James, 57, 225. 

Walter. 202, 209, 211, 215, 219. 223, 225, 
239. 
Holland, Park, 12. 
Holmes. Ezekiel, 301, 302. 

O. W., quotation, 24. 
Holt, Edward B., appointed to prepare 
plans for new bridge in 1838, 254. 

Thomas K., 302, 304, 307, 314. 
Holt's mills, 18, 131, 276. 
Holyoke & Page. 245. 
Hopkins, Isaac, 119, 120, 137. 
Hopkinton, New Hampshire, 63. 
Hopland. Isaac. 184. 
House of Representatives, 118, 121. 
Howard, Joseph, 317, 318. 
Hubbard, John, 296, 297, 301. 

Mr. B. P.. 357. 
Huckins, Nathaniel, 260. 
Hulse, W. C, 358. 

Huntington, Enoch, 236; selectman in 
1836, 246; in 1837, 248; in 1838, 254; 
in 1840, 271, 252, 261, 284. 
Hunton, J. G., 227. 

Jonathan G., 227. 

Mr., 224. 
Hutchins, Elder Samuel, 351. 

Rev. Leonard, 282, 358. 

William, 234. 
Hutchinson, Ebenezer, 232. 

James, 137. 



Illsley, Rev. Horatio, 349. 

Indian Old Town. 186. 

Inman. Rufus. 225. 239. 

Irish, Thaddeus P., town clerk in 1857, 

308; in 1858, 309. 
Isle au Haut, 154. 



Jackman, Enoch, 75, 76, 119, 128. 137, 
179. 

James, 137, 161. 

Captain John L., 28, 35, 119, 137, 161, 
203, 240. 

Justus, 161. 
Jackson, Andrew, 222, 231. 
"Jack Spratt," 55. 
Jameson Hill, 60, 158, 159. 
Jefferson, Thomas, 216. 
Jeffersonian, newspaper, 255. 



Jennings, Horace, 42. 

Mark C, 106, 130, 184. 

Stephen D., 106, 269; selectman and 
assessor in 1845. 285; in 1860, 311; 
moderator in 1846, 287; in 1852, 300; 
in 1853, 301; candidate for repre- 
sentative to Legislature, 286, 290, 
321; candidate for State Senator in 
1856. 307; in 1857, 309. 
Johnson, John, 225. 

Joseph. 225. 

Levi. 239. 

Mrs. Nathaniel, 208. 

Noah W., selectman and assessor in 
1856, 305; in 1857, 308; candidate 
for representative to Legislature, 
310. 

N. W., 208. 

Samuel, 109, 239. 
Jones, John, 49. 

John G.. 303, 312. 

Jonathan, 49. 

Story, 200. 

William, 97. 
Joseph Garland's barn, 79. 



K 



Katahdin, 16. 

Kelsey, Captain Joseph, 195. 

Kenduskeag, 5, 15, 18, 24, 27, 38, 54, 60, 
158, 178, 185. 
Stream at Holt's mills, 254. 

Kennebec district, 139. 
River. 18. 19, 58. 158. 
Kent, Edward, 234; Whig candidate 

for Governor. 247, 248, 255, 260; in 

1840, 272; in 1841, 274. 

Kilby, Rev. Mr., 339. 

Kimball. Andrew, 96, 99, 120, 127, 190. 
Jedediah, 264. 
John S., 208, 256. 
Colonel John S., 255, 259, 348. 
Lucretia, 96. 

Sarah (Andrew's daughter), 96. 
Stephen, 152. 208. 

King, Hon. William, 138, 194. 

"King Gideon," 45, 47. 

"King's Mark," 148. 

Kingsbury, Sanford, 288, 290. 

Kitridge, Russell, 231, 233. 

Knight, Aaron, 200. 

Agnes Grant, 62, 95. 

David E., 31. 

John, 62, 77, 95, 119, 137. 

Joseph F., 303. 

Joseph T.. 287. 296, 297, 300, 301. 

Samuel W., selectman and assessor, 
219, 223. 226, 229, 248, 254; collector, 
221, 225, 239, 261, 264, 273, 300; can- 
didate for State Senator in 1844, 
284 

William H., 205, 228, 237. 

Zebulon, 225, 239. 354. 

Knowlton, Hon. Ebenezer, 286. 



396 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 



Ladd, Captain Daniel, 200, 206, 209, 211, 
216, 219, 221, 223, 225, 239, 284. 

G. W., 321. 

Isaac F., 239. 

Jeremiah, 200, 225, 239. 

John C, 264. 

John E., 225, 239. 

Wilham, 239. 
Lancey, William, 185. 
Lawrence family, 190. 

Jonathan C, 285. 304. 

Mr., 248. 
Lawrences, 111. 
Leverett, Thomas, 13. 
Lee, N. H., 5, 200. 

Legislature of Maine, 36, 195, 243; pe- 
tition for repairing road, 249. 

of Massachusetts, 5, 6, 119, 163, 164, 
168. 
Leighton, Mr., 65. 

Mrs., 65. 
Leland, Leonard, 225. 
Levant, food stored, 54, 55; important 

road through Levant, 242. 
Lewis, Elder Lincoln, 351. 
Lewiston, 111. 
Libbee, Silas, 119. 120, 137. 
Libbey, Smith, 276. 
Lieutenant Governor, 138, 153. 
Lincoln artillery company, 263. 

Abraham, 138. 

Enoch, 212, 215, 216, 217, 219, 220, 222. 

Governor, 217. 

Hon. Levi, 53. 

Levi, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 19. 

Lionel, 106. 

Township, 110. 

Lincolntown, 19, 53, 57, 60, 65, 68, 81, 83, 

88, 91, 96, 99, 151. 
London, 13, 256. 
Longfellow, quotation, 23. 
Lord, Mr., 339. 
Loring, Rev. Amasa, 34, 171, 213, 214, 

340. 
Loring's Historyof Piscataquis County, 

34. 
Lowell, Mr., of Foxcroft, 359. 
Lowells, 111. 

Lyford, Fifield, 225, 239, 256, 264, 378. 
Hiram, 239. 



M 

Mace, Mrs., quotation, 113. 
Madigan, James C, 317. 
Madison, President, 138, 156. 
Maguire, Mrs. Ruel, 203. 

Maine camp, 383. 

District of, 164, 188, 242. 
Missionary Society, 106, 345. 



Maine State college, 385. 
State of, 17, 36, 63, 85, 88. 112, 114, 169, 
192, 196; farmers of central Maine, 
212, 226. 
Main stream, 19, 233. 
Manchesters, 111. 
Mansfield, Henry, 102. 
Hollis, 102, 240. 
Samuel, 102, 240. 
William, 225. 
Maple Grove cemetery, 74, 77, 131, 184, 

236, 237, 296. 
March, Deacon James, 118, 225, 240. 
Marrow, Reuben, 240. 
Martin, Mr., emigrated from London 

in 1839, 258. 
Mason, J. W., 245. 

Massachusetts, 38; early settlers from, 
110; general court, 112; records, 
118, 169; cattle driven to Massachu- 
setts to pay debts, 241. 
May, Elisha, 13. 
Hezekiah, 339. 
Mayo, Benjamin, 152, 225, 239, 240. 

John G., 152. 
McCluer, James, 137, 196. 
Mrs. James, 97. 

McClure, James, 57, 120, 127, 131. 
McComb, Alexander, 379. 

Barton, 84. 

D. B., 61. 

John H., 379. 

John, Jr., 203. 

Robert, 130. 

Thomas, 158. 
McDougal, D. M., 245. 
McGaw, 245. 

Melntire, land agent, 262. 
McLane, Edward, 8. 
McLaughlin, Mr., 262. 
McLure, James, 191. 
Mendon, 10, 12. 
Meneely & Sons, 245. 

Merriam, Artemas, 264; moderator in 
1854, 302; in 1855, 304; in 1856, 305; 
in 1858, 309; in 1859, 310; in 1860, 
311; in 1861, 313; in 1862, 314; in 
1863, 315; in 1808, 320; candidate 
for representative to legislature. 
307. 

Mrs. Charles E., 108, 196, 199, 203. 

Mrs. Josiah, 245, 383. 

Merrill, Henry, 69, 76, 179, 236. 

Major, 220. 

Nathan, 76, 190. 
Middlesex, county of, 11. 
Miller, Mr. William, 281. 
Millerism, 353. 
Minnesota, 192. 
Minturn, Jonathan G., 224. 
Mississippi, 192. 

Mitchell brook, 88. 
Family, 91, 94. 
Mordecai, 90, 93. 



INDEX 



397 



Mitchell, Mrs. William, 89, 90, 91, 92, 
93, 94, 95. 

William, Garland's first school mas- 
ter, 42, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 93, 94, 95. 

Wm., 51. 
Moluncus, 264. 
Monson. 214, 242, 244. 
Moore, Daniel, 209, 211, 224, 228. 240. 

David, 225. 
Moosehead lake, 179, 242. 
Moose pond, 19. 
Morgan, Glenn, 77. 200, 202. 

John, 147. 

Simeon, 102, 119, 137. 

Simon, 190. 

Theophilus B.. 119. 
Morrill, Anson P., 302, 303, 305. 

E. T., 273. 

Lot M., 308, 310, 311. 
Morris, Captain. 154. 155. 158. 
Morse, Freeman H., 285. 
Moses, Mr., 39. 
Murdock buildings, 68. 

Russell, 225, 239, 248, moderator in 
1838, 254; in 1839, 2f0: in 1840, 271; 
mentioned. 284; moderator in 1845. 
285; in 1857. 308; selectman and as- 
sessor in 1860. 311; in 1861, 313; in 
1862, 314. 

Place. 74. 
Murphy, James J., 378. 
Murray, Alexander, 95. 

Arnold, 29, 69. 71, 72. 

Betsy, 95. 

Elizabeth, 96. 

Thomas M.. 233. 

William A.. 233. 
Muscongus patent. 13. 

River, 14. 



N 



Nason, Samuel V., 352. 

National House of Representatives, 

113. 
Naval committee, 113. 
Nelson, Seth, 33. 
Newburg, 14, 15. 
Newbui-yport, 58. 
New Charleston, 46, 53, 80, 81. 
New Durham, N. H., 173. 
Newell, Austin, 244, 245. 
New England community, 22, 123; cold 

summer of, 170, 171, 173. 
New Gloucester, Me., 27, 28, 29, 52, 83. 

140. 
New Hampshire. 30. 63, 110, 196. 
New Ohio (Corinth), 25, 42, 55, 60, 80, 

99. 
Newport, 185. 
New York, 169. 170, 245. 
Norcross, E. L., 248. 

Elijah, 208. 
Northeast county road, 296. 



North St. Albans, 185. 

Nottingham, N. H., 25, 100, 109, 196. 

241. 
Nye, Elisha, 225. 



o 



Oak, Benjamin H., 109, 231, 232, 233, 
238, 244; treasurer in 1836, 246; in 
1837, 248. 
Edson L., member superintending 
school committee in 1847. 288; in 
1848. 291; in 1863, 315. 
E. L., town agent in 1861. 313; in 

1862, 314. 
Lebbeus, 256. 

Lorenzo, 208, 275; town clerk in 1843. 
277; in 1844. 283; in 1845. 285; in 
1846, 287; in 1847, 288; in 1851, 300; 
in 1853, 301; treasurer in 1848, 291; 
in 1854, 303; in 1855. 304; collector in 
1868. 321; in 1869. 322; selectman 
and assessor in 1856, 305; in 1857. 
308; in 1858, 309; in 1859, 310; in 
1860, 311 ; in 1865, 317; town agent 
in 1863, 315. 
L., store, 132. 
Hon. Lyndon, 385. 

Lyndon, superintending school com- 
mittee in 1838. 254; in 1839, 260; in 
1840, 271; in 1864. 316; in 1865. 317; 
in 1866. 319; in 1867. 319; candidate 
for representative to legislature, 
286; in 1854, 304; in 1864, 317; in 
1868, 321; instructor in first high 
school, 293; moderator in 1849, 295; 
mentioned, 296; moderator in 1851. 
299; candidate for State senator. 
305. 307; supervisor of schools. 308, 
309, 310. 311. 
Nathaniel, 207. 
Ohio, 28, 112, 191. 
"Ohio fever," 182. 
"Old Abe," 265. 
Old Hundred, 65. 
Old Town, 186. 
Oliver, John S., 315. 316, 317. 
Orland, 263. 
Osgood, Calvin, 184. 
Calvin R., 379. 
C. F., 196, 199. 
Fred, 109. 
John W., 314, 316. 
Richmond, 256. 
Otis. George W.. selectman and asses- 
sor in 1861, 313; in 1868. 320; in 1869, 
322, 356. 
H. G., president of senate, 122, 123. 
Joel W., 61, 319; place, 74. 



Pacific coast. 94. 
Packard. Shepherd. 240. 

Thomas B.. 31. 
Page. Benjamin. 239. 

Ezekiel, 28, 246. 256. 264, 271. 

Elder John, 351. 

John. 238. 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 



Paine, Henry M., 153. 
Palermo, Me., 29. 
Palmer, I. A., 106. 

Jonathan, 157. 

Richard, 185. 

William, 128. 

William, of Exeter. 288. 
Palmyra, 185. 
Paris, Albion K., 194. 

Maine, 202. 
Parker, Dr. James, 110, 133, 134, 137, 
162, 225, 239. 

Rev. Wooster, 349. 
Parkman, A. F., 319. 

Orison, 281. 
Parks, Gorham. 232, 234, 248. 
Parris, Albion K., 197, 201, 207, 210, 

212, 303. 
Parsons, Solomon, 222. 
Patten, D, F., 106, 131. 190. 

George F., 307. 

John S., 314. 
Patterson, Alfred, 131. 
Paul, S. M., 75. 
Peabody, Dr., 105, 110. 
Pearson, O., 307. 
Pease, Albana, 284. 
Pennell, Rev. Lewis, 345. 
Penobscot bay, 14, 154. 167. 

County of, 5, lOR, 168, 205. 234, 249. 

Masonic lodge, 205. 228. 

River, 18. 38, 58, 157, 158. 

Valley, 154, 183. 

Pennsylvania. 170. 
Peter the hunter, 47. 
Peters. John, 319, 321. 
Philips. Hon. William. 138. 
Phillips. Ebenezer S.. 227. 

Samuel, 8. 

William, 153. 
Pierce, David, 236, 288. 

Edward H., 291, 296. 297, 300, 301. 

Waldo T., 234. 
Pilgrims, 123. 
Pillsbury, Albert, 302. 

Eben F., 319, 320, 321. 

James, 281. 

Peter, 270. 
Piscataquis, county of. 131. 178. 237. 

Region. 101. 

Valley, 16. 
Pittsfield, 185. 

Plantation number three, 195. 
Pleasant pond. 18. 74. 152. 233. 
Plummer. Charles. 208. 
Pomroy. Rev. S. L.. 343. 
Portland, 158. 174. 188, 194. 
Portsmouth, N. H.. 196. 
Powers. James, 203, 225, 238. 
Pownal, Governor. 14. 

Fort. 14. 
Pratt, Deacon. 342. 

Dr. John F., 118. 



Pratt, Edward, 119. 120. 
John. 119. 120. 
Dr. Joseph. 85. 86. 109. 
Preble brook. 132. 
Preble, Edwin, 82, 101, 228. 
Henry C, 208, 311, 313, 314, 315, 319. 
Wins, 208. 
Prescott, Joseph, 200, 202, 220, 221, 223, 
225, 229. 231,240; moderator in 1836. 
246, 248; in 1841, 273; in 1842, 275; in 
1843, 277; in 1844, 283; in 1847, 288. 
Simon, 99; place, 60, 99. 
Presidential campaign, 211. 
Pressey, Benjamin, 200, 203, 225. 
Province of Maine, 77, 110. 111. 163, 167. 

182, 188, 242. 
Puritan, 123. 



Q 



Quimby, Enos. 29. 192. 
Jacob. 225. 238. 
Jacob. Jr., 375. 
Mrs.. 192. 



R 



Ramsdell. Henry. 378. 

John H.. 208. 
Read. John. 8. 

Reed. Rev. Appleton W.. 356. 
Isaac. 303. 305. 
J. B.. 264. 

Hon. Thomas B., 113. 
Reform Club. 329. 
Revolutionary war, 5, 123. 216. 
Reynolds, Charles, 208, 223, 226, 227. 
229, 231, 232, 236, 239; town clerk in 
1837, 248; appointed agent by town, 
251: selectman in 1838. 254; town 
clerk and selectman in 1839. 260; 
town clerk in 1840. 271; in 1841. 273; 
representative to legislature, 274; 
town clerk in 1847, 291; in 1849, 
295; in 1850. 297. 
Rice. Charles. 168. 
John H.. 312. 315. 317. 
Richard H.. 234. 
S. M.. 276. 
Richardson. Clark. 101. 

Lyman E.. 376. 
Ricker, George W., 245. 
Rideout, Deacon L. M., 202. 
James L.. 28, 31, 73, 96, 131. 200, 203. 

208 220 
Luther. 28. 248. 256. 264. 276, 277; se- 
lectman in 1844. 283; in 1845. 285; 
286; in 1846. 287; in 1847. 288;«in 
1849. 295; town clerk in 1851. 300; 
301; selectman in 1859, 310; repre- 
sentative to legislature, 312; mod- 
erator in 1864, 316; in 1865. 317; in 
1866. 318; in 1867, 319; in 1869, 322. 
Miss Lizzie. 208. 
Place. 131. 
Ripley. Me., 49. 58, 65. 88, 90. 185, 214. 



INDEX 



399 



Bobbins, James, 225. 
Roberts, Amos M., 307. 
Robinson, Edward, 284. 

Edwin, 276, 278. 

Elder, 198. 
Rollins, Enoch, 225, 239. 

Ernest, 82. 

William, 225, 239. 
Rugg-les, Deacon, 185. 
Runnals, John S., 256, 264. 
Russell mountain, 16. 
Rutland, Mass., 27, 95, 96, 104. 



Sabbath, The, 87. 94, 95. 
Salisbury, Mass., 75. 

New Hampshire, 29, 30. 52. 82, 200. 
Sanborn, Abner, 19. 152, 153, 166, 180, 
188 

Abraham, 284, 307. 

Mr., in Charleston, 26. 
Sanbornton, N. H., 88. 
Sanford, John I. D.. 275. 353. 
Sanger, Calvin. 11, 241. 

Mr., 108, 185. 

Samuel, 11. 

Samuel, Jr., 11. 
Sangerville, 130, 131, 179, 242. 
Sargent. David, 225. 

Edward. 28, 57. 

Joseph, 28, 202, 208, 220, 225. 240. 

Mrs. Joseph, 209. 

Samuel P., 220. 

William, 28, 73, 96, 120. 128, 137. 208. 
208, 225. 

Mrs. William, 97. 
Saunders, John, 137. 

Joseph, 29. 83, 107. 127, 137. 

Moses, 137. 

Oliver, 107, 108. 137. 

Thomas B.. 225. 
Sawtelle, Asa H.. 106. 
Sawyer, Father, 245, 341. 

Homestead, 106. 

Rev. John, 106. 110, 131. 134. 137, 151. 
153, 162. 190, 202. 243, 339. 

Samuel, Jr., 11. 
Scott, General, 268. 
Sebasticook stream, 19. 
Sebec, Me., 100, 117. 
Secretary's office. 122. 
Senate, 118, 121, 122, 194. 
Separationists, 164. 
Severance opening, 42, 43. 
Sewall, Rev. Jotham, 346. 

Rev. Samuel, 87, 338. 

Rev. W. S., 349. 
Seward farm, 101. 
Seward, Robert, 240, 

Deacon Robert, 83, 100. 101, 354. 

Mrs. Robert. 108. 
Shaw, T. J.. 309, 310. 
Sheldon. Rev. N. W., 343. 



Shepherd. David, 278. 
Sherburne, 11. 
Shores, Mr., 15. 

Silver, Daniel. 300, 360. 

Joshua. 240. 

Joshus. 83. 

Sampson. 58. 59, 64, 70, 82, 105, 106, 
120, 137. 
Sixth range. 119, 121, 195. 
Skillin, David, 271. 273. 274, 275. 

Josiah, 256. 

Leonard, 256, 305. 

Mrs. Leonard, 31. 

Samuel. 248, 256; selectman in 1838, 
254, 256; in 1839, 260; in 1857, 308; 
in 1858. 309. 310; in 1861, 313; in 
1862, 314. 

Thomas J.. 378. 

William E., 318. 
Skinner, Albert, 256, 264. 

Dr., 110. 

Elijah, 219. 

Elisha. 315, 316. 

Mason. 225. 239. 

Thompson Joseph, 9, 11. 12, 13. 
Skowhegan, 184, 185. 
Small, Ebenezer and wife, 43. 

E. H.. 314. 

Smart, Ephraim K., 312. 

Smith, Andrew, 225. 

Caroline, 94. 

Deacon Stephen. 94, 246, 846. 

Franklin, 323. 

Gardiner, 264. 

Hannah, 94. 

Henrietta. 94, 95. 

John P., 256, 264, 283. 285. 

Manasseh H.. 308, 310, 311. 

Matilda. 94, 95. 

Moses, 29, 57, 78. 

Mrs. N. P., 51, 90, 91, 94, 95. 

Rev. Professor, of Bangor Seminary, 
343. 

S., 245. 

Samuel E., 224. 227. 229, 231. 

Seth, 225. 

Thomas, 185. 
Snell, Charles, 203. 

Cyrus, 203. 
Snow, old hunter, 55. 

Eleazer W., 248. 
Somerset, county of, 216, 234. 

Soule, Asa, 152, 239. 
Asa W. 225 

David. '203. 225, 239, 241. 
Gains, 225. 

Gideon, 203, 225, 227, 239. 
John, 203. 225, 239. 
Lewis, 225, 239. 
Rufus, 203, 225. 
Solomon, 240. 
William, 203, 225, 238. 

Sprague, Peleg, 234. 
Springall, Dr. Joseph, 186. 
S. S. Clark & Co. (firm). 288. 
Staples, Jacob. 239. 
State land agent, 214. 
Stetson, 159. 



400 



HISTORY OF GARLAND, MAINE 



Stetson, Amasa, 320. 

Charles, 292, 297. 

Isaiah, 320. 

Mr., 185. 
Stevens, John, 119, 137. 

John B., 239. 

Mr., 39, 120. 
Stewart, Eliab, 225, 239. 
Stillings, Isaiah, 225, 239. 
Stone, Ellery, 190. 

James M.. 24, 117, 196. 

William, 191. 
Story, Joseph, speaker of house, 121, 

123. 
Straw. Alfred R., 379. 

A W 250 

Ezekiel, 106, 120, 127, 137, 153. 180, 
186, 193, 197, 201, 206, 226, 239, 242, 
246, 248, 252. 

Family, 251. 

Giles, 264, 378. 

James (father of A. W.), 250. 

James M. (brother of A. W.), 250. 

Jesse, 240. 
Strong. Caleb, 138, 153. 

Governor, 167. 
Strout, Joseph, 225, 239, 351. 
Strickland, Hastings, 262, 297, 301. 
Subscribers to stock of new church, 
847. 

For filling quota assigned to Gar- 
land, 384. 
Suffolk, county of, 11. 
Swift, Rev. Aurelius, 345. 



T 



Number three, 118, 119, 121. 

Number two, 119, 121. 
Tracy, Rev. A. P., 357. 
Trafton, Mark, 185. 
Treadwell, John, 100. 

Joseph, 35, 52, 55, 99. 

Joseph (grandson of Joseph Tread- 
well). 100. 140. 

Joseph C, 25, 35, 122. 125, 127, 128. 
137, 140. 
Trefethen, John, 83, 135. 137, 180, 195. 

239. 
Trefetheren. John, 119. 
Tripp, Hon. Bartlett, 113. 
True, Abraham, 196, 199. 225, 231, 232, 
239. 

Mrs. Abraham, 203. 

Benjamin, 236. 

Benjamin, Esq.. 380. 

Family. 196. 

Joseph, place, 24. 117, 196. 225. 239, 
255 273 

Joseph. Jr., 196, 224, 239, 254, 260. 
Trundy, B. L., 200, 203. 
Tucker, John, 90. 
Turner, Rev. Abel, 353. 
Tuttle, Mr., 185. 
Twombly, Deacon Moses, 353. 

John D.. 378. 
Tyler. Aunt Susan. 35. 

Captain, 158. 

John, 28, 35, 52, 54, 99. 140. 

Mrs. John. 54. 

Place, 28. 

Sullivan, 137. 

Thomas S., 27. 82, 119, 127, 137. 156. 
199. 240. 



Talbot. George F.. 296. 297. 

Tarbox. John, of Garland. 263, 270. 

Taylor. Abner. 250. 

Franklin, treasurer in 1856, 305; in 
1857. 308: in 1859, 310; in 1860, 311; 
in 1861, 313; in 1862, 314; in 1863, 
315; in 1864, 316; in 1865, 317; in 
1866, 318; in 1867, 319; in 1868. 320; 
in 1869, 322. 
Warner, 239. 

Tenney, John S.. 255. 

Tewksbury, John, 281. 

Thatcher, George A., 245. 

Thayer, Rev. P. B., 95, 349, 356, 359. 

The Garland Union Temperance Soci- 
ety, 328. 

"The Lake," 61, 153. 

Thomas hill, 269. 

Thorndike. Herbert, 225, 239. 

Tibbetts, Allen C, 302. 

Titcomb, Leonard H., 379. 

Todd, John, 185. 

Towle, Deacon Ebenezer, 351. 

Town clerk. 125. 

Townsend harbor. 59. 

Township number four, 119. 121. 



u 

Union. 189. 

United States, 113, 123, 169. 

Sanitary Commission. 383. 

President of, Ii3. 

Senate of. 113. 

Supreme court of. 113. 
Universalists. 239. 

V 

Van Buren. Martin. 247, 273. 

Vanderbilt, 72. 

Veazie, General, citizen of Bangor, 

259. 
Vermont, 169. 
Vickery, Joseph. 291. 
Vinton. Rev. John A.. 345. 
Vose. Mr.. 185. 

w 

Wakefield, Hon. A. G., 277. 
Waldo, family of that name. 14. 



INDEX 



401 



Gen. Samuel, 14, 16. 

Patent, 7, 9, 10. 13, 37. 93. 118. 121. 
Walker, Asa, 284. 

Brothers, 99. 

John, 208, 288. 

Deacon Joseph, 351. 

Washington, L. P., 311. 
Wallace, Gilbert, 225. 
Ware, N. H., 58, 74, 103. 
War of 1812, 156. 161, 163, 182. 191. 192, 
234. 

of the Rebellion, 84, 138. 
Warren, Samuel, 206, 209, 226. 

William, 225. 
Washburn, Edward, 35. 98. 

Israel, 292, 297, 301. 304, 314. 

Israel, Jr., 307, 310, 312. 
Washingtonian Society, 328. 
Waterhouse, Isaiah, 301. 
Webster. Colonel, of Orono. 262. 

Daniel. 114. 
Wells, Nathaniel. 8. 

Samuel, 305, 306. 
West Corinth. 60, 185. 
West Garland, 18, 152, 190, 233. 248. 
West, The, 112, 114, 182. 
Weston. G. M.. 319. 

Samuel, 7, 9, 10, 15. 

Wheeler. Betsey Murray, 63, 95, 96. 

Calvin S., 208, 266. 

Isaac, Esq., 15, 19, 26, 39, 48, 54, 57. 
63. 95, 104, 108. 120, 124, 133, 137, 
139, 151, 153, 156, 162, 165. 177. 180, 
186, 193, 197, 201. 205. 208. 215. 219, 
224, 239. 

Isaac, Jr., 264. 

Reuben. 63, 105. 



Wheeler, Squire. 124. 
White, Rev. Calvin. 845. 

Rev. Henry, 349. 
Whitman, Ezekiel, 201. 216, 219. 
Whitney, John. 823. 

Samuel, 222. 
Whittier (quotation). 141. 
Wiley, James S.. 287. 290. 310. 
Wilkine, Bray, 239. 

Daniel. 15. 31. 46. 197. 201. 

Isaac E., 215, 219, 225. 342. 

Rev. Isaac, 166. 226. 

John. 13, 168, 227. 

Place, 31. 
Williams college, 5, 6. 7. 9, 10, 11, 12. 
198, 343. 

Ruel, 194. 
Williamson. Mr., 19, 163, 164, 192. 

W. D., 245. 

Williamstown. Mass.. 5, 9. 

Wilson, Hon. John. 139, 168. 
Obed, 205. 

Winthrop. Me., 105. 

Wolcott, Thomas, 12. 

Wood, F. D., 126, 199. 

Woodard, Eleazer, 120. 

Oliver, 119. 120. 
Woodman, Samuel L., 288, 298. 
Woodward, O., 128. 137. 

Worcester, 10. 
County of, 10. 

Wyman, George W., 83. 
John, 185, 
William. 83. 



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